Italian Councilor: "Netanyahu Should Be Arrested If He Lands in Italy, Like Putin"

Giovanni Posio, a councilor for Fratelli d'Italia in Brescia, Italy, ignited political debate by stating that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu should be arrested if he were to visit the city. Posio's remarks came during a joint commission meeting discussing a petition to suspend the sale of Israeli pharmaceutical products.

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If Netanyahu were to land in Brescia, the security councilor would have to send the municipal police and arrest Netanyahu.

Posio asserted that Italy, having ratified the Statute of the International Criminal Court, must act on the existing provisional arrest warrant against Netanyahu. He drew a parallel between Netanyahu and Russian President Putin, suggesting both should be arrested if they entered Italy, referencing Putin's alleged deportation of Ukrainian children.

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We must not adopt double standards; Italy has ratified the Statute of the International Criminal Court, and a precautionary arrest warrant has been issued against the Israeli prime minister.

Despite his strong stance on potential legal action against Netanyahu, Posio opposed a boycott of Israeli pharmaceutical products. He cited the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, which prohibits boycotts, and stressed that such actions would constitute discrimination against Jewish people. Posio argued for distinguishing between criticism of the Israeli government's actions and animosity towards the entire Jewish population, stating, "Rather than fueling hatred towards Israelis, let's truly help the Palestinian people."

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If Netanyahu came to Italy, he should be arrested just like Putin; I recall that the latter deported children from Ukraine.