G7 foreign ministers will meet near Rome on Monday for two days of talks with regional counterparts on the Middle East before discussing the military conflict in Ukraine.
The G7 ministers will also discuss the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Hamas leader, “as well as possible implications for the ongoing crises in Lebanon and Gaza,” Italy’s foreign ministry said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will attend the talks in Fiuggi and Anagni along with ministers from the other G7 countries – Britain, Canada, Germany, France and Japan – which will be organised by Italian representative Antonio Tajani.
The first meeting on Monday afternoon will focus on the situation in the Middle East and the Red Sea region, in particular efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.
According to Rome, ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Egypt, as well as the secretary-general of the Arab League, will attend one of the meetings. Tajani said in a statement:
“We have asked for the presence of partners in the region to foster dialogue with the members of the G7. Only together can we find concrete solutions that can bring peace and stability to the region.”
In Brussels, ambassadors from NATO and Ukraine will hold talks on Russia’s launch of an experimental medium-range hypersonic missile.
Tensions in the Asia-Pacific region are also on the agenda for the G7 meeting, and the Italians have invited the foreign ministers of South Korea, India, Indonesia and the Philippines.
G7 ministers are also expected to discuss the ongoing crises in Haiti and Sudan, as well as the political situation in Venezuela.
Arrest warrants for Netanyahu
On Thursday, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas spokesman Mohammed Deif, in response to charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, sparked by an attack by the Palestinian group’s militants on October 7, 2023.
Israel and its allies condemned the decision, but it was welcomed by Turkey and human rights groups.
Several countries have said they will honour ICC warrants and arrest Netanyahu if he is on their territory, while other states are still mulling their reaction to the decision.
The news of Netanyahu’s arrest warrant sparked a massive reaction from political leaders on social media Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis tweeted:
“Germany will not arrest genocidal Netanyahu “because of its Nazi history,” says Chancellor Olf Scholz. He forgot to add that Germany has no problem arresting Jews who dare oppose genocide. Is this also because of Germany’s Nazi past?”
