In the wake of a request from Polish President Andrzej Duda, assurances have been given to allow Benjamin Netanyahu, the former prime minister of Israel, to participate in an upcoming event in Poland. President Duda, who belongs to the opposition Law and Justice party, had reached out to the government earlier this week, seeking its approval for Netanyahu’s visit. The president’s spokesperson confirmed on Thursday that Duda had requested the government ensure that Netanyahu wouldn’t face arrest upon his arrival in Poland for the commemoration, scheduled for January 27th.

Netanyahu is currently a person of interest for the International Criminal Court (ICC), stemming from accusations of war crimes in Gaza, which led to an arrest warrant being issued in his name last November. Israel has been engaged in a military operation in Gaza since October 2023 in an attempt to eradicate Hamas, in retaliation to the Palestinian militant group’s attack on Israel. This operation has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands.

The ICC warrant implies that Netanyahu could face arrest if he travels to any of the 120 countries that are signatories to the ICC. However, a few countries like France and Hungary have stated they would not arrest him.

As reported by Polish news agency Interia, that managed to get a copy of Duda’s letter, the president stated: “The Polish government should ensure [Netanyahu] an unimpeded stay in our country under these absolutely extraordinary circumstances.”

As of now, Netanyahu hasn’t voiced a wish to attend the commemoration, nor has he been invited by its organizer, the Auschwitz Museum. The museum informed the Polish media that it had only sent out invitations to Holocaust survivors.