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Borrell: Implementing Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Al-Deif Mandatory for EU Countries
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Borrell's firm statements reflect a balanced European position in dealing with international arrest warrants, rejecting double standards

The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, confirmed on Saturday his rejection of selective handling of arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades leader Mohammed Al-Deif.
During his inspection visit to Cyprus to participate in a meeting with Israeli and Palestinian peace activists, he stated that "countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute are obligated to implement the court's decision, and this is not optional."
He explained that countries aspiring to join the European Union are also required to implement this decision, according to Reuters. He emphasized that "it would be very ridiculous to have newcomers comply with an obligation that current members do not fulfill."
Borrell, whose term ends this month, added: "Every time someone disagrees with a particular Israeli government policy, they are accused of antisemitism." He affirmed, saying: "I have the right to criticize decisions of the Israeli government, whether it's Netanyahu's or anyone else's, without being accused of antisemitism, this is unacceptable, and enough is enough."
The International Criminal Court in The Hague announced Thursday that "the chamber issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant in cases of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Gaza between October 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024," adding the issuance of a similar warrant for Al-Deif.
All EU countries are bound by the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court known as the Rome Statute, and several European countries have pledged to fulfill their obligations under the Statute when necessary.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban deviated from the European position by inviting Netanyahu to visit his country, assuring him complete safety, while a U.S. position emerged rejecting the ICC's decision, which Israel described as antisemitic.
Levant-Agencies
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BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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