site.btaRomania's President-elect Wants to Continue Good Relations with Israel

President-elect Nicusor Dan said Thursday night that it is his duty to respect the treaties signed by Romania, noting that the country wants to continue its “very good” relations with Israel, Agerpres reports.

Nicusor Dan was asked whether he believed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was guilty of war crimes.

"That's none of my business. My job is to respect the treaties (...) of which we are part. Besides, we want to continue the very good relations we have with Israel," the newly elected Romanian President said.

Nicusor Dan thanked Netanyahu on Thursday for his congratulations on his victory in Romania's presidential elections on Sunday. The Romanian President-elect also assured Netanyahu of his commitment to strengthening relations between Romania and Israel.

On May 8, during an election debate, Nicusor Dan said that Prime Minister Netanyahu would not visit Romania as long as there is a warrant for his arrest. He added that Romania should have “normal relations” with Israel, Agerpres reminded.

On November 21, 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister in his cabinet Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas leader Ibrahim al-Masri, for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the Gaza conflict. The court announced in February that judges had cancelled the arrest warrant for al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, after he was reported dead. 

On Sunday, independent presidential candidate and incumbent Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan won the presidential election with 53.60% of the vote. His opponent, George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) party, received the support of 46.40% of voters.