In brief
France's foreign ministry suggests that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may not face immediate arrest under an ICC warrant when traveling to France, citing rules on immunity.
France's foreign ministry has indicated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel might not face immediate arrest if he visits French territory, despite the International Criminal Court's (ICC) recent arrest warrant for him. The French government has opted for a measured response, not explicitly stating that Netanyahu would be free to travel but emphasizing the relevance of ICC rules concerning state immunity that could apply to him.In a statement, the French ministry reiterated its commitment to fulfilling international obligations while highlighting a clause in the Rome Statute — the 1998 treaty that led to the ICC's formation — which indicates that states are not bound to act in ways that contravene their international obligations regarding the immunities of non-ICC member states. This means that Israeli leaders, like Netanyahu, would benefit from certain protections under international law.The ICC’s warrant accuses Netanyahu of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel's military operations against Hamas in Gaza. While nations like Ireland have stated they would proceed with arrests on their soil, others, including Italy, have raised concerns about the practical and legal implications of such actions.Relations between President Emmanuel Macron of France and Netanyahu are known to be strained. However, France has played a significant role in attempting to stabilize conflicts in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon. The foreign ministry's comments followed a recent collaborative effort from France and the United States in negotiating a ceasefire to curb hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
