Berlin: Amnesty International has criticized Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union and a potential candidate for chancellor following Sunday's parliamentary elections, for extending an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Berlin.

According to Anadolu Agency, Amnesty Deutschland expressed its disapproval on X, highlighting that the invitation comes despite an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Amnesty described Merz's action as an "open call" to disregard international law, emphasizing the necessity for Germany's new government to uphold international law and human rights principles, and urging against foreign policy double standards.

The Israeli prime minister's office confirmed on Monday that Merz would be inviting Netanyahu for an official visit to Germany. During a news conference in Berlin, Merz assured Netanyahu that he would "find ways and means" to facilitate his visit to Germany without facing arrest. Merz dismissed the notion of an Israeli prime minister being unable to visit Germany as "completely absurd."

The ICC had issued arrest warrants last November for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, resulting in over 48,300 deaths since October 2023. The conflict was paused following a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange agreement last month.

Merz revealed that Netanyahu called him on Sunday to congratulate him on his success in the parliamentary elections. Merz noted their familiarity, stating, "You know that we know each other well." The Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU) led by Merz secured 28.6% of the vote according to preliminary official results, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD) experienced an unprecedented defeat, garnering just 16.3%-the party's lowest vote share since 1949.