France says Israel’s Netanyahu has immunity from ICC arrest
Amid concerns Israel could scupper efforts for a ceasefire, France said it would work closely with the Israeli PM
27 November 2024 - 19:35
byJohn Irish
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Picture: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS
Paris — France said on Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had immunity given his country was not party to the statutes of the International Criminal Court (ICC) that has sought his arrest, and Paris would continue working closely with him.
France has taken almost a week to come up with a clear position on the matter, after the court in The Hague issued arrest warrants on November 21 for Netanyahu, his former defence chief and a leader of the Hamas Palestinian militant group.
After initially saying it would adhere to the ICC statutes, France’s foreign ministry fine-tuned that in a second statement on November 22 amid concerns that Israel could scupper efforts for a ceasefire in Lebanon, saying it noted that the court’s decision merely formalised an accusation.
On Wednesday, the ministry said France would respect its international obligations, it being understood that the Rome Statute that established the ICC provided that a country cannot be required to act in a manner incompatible with its obligations “with respect to the immunities of states not party to the ICC”.
“Such immunities apply to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other relevant ministers and will have to be taken into consideration should the ICC request their arrest and surrender.”
A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah came into effect on Wednesday after both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the US and France.
France’s foreign affairs minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, spoke to his counterpart in the aftermath of the ICC arrest warrant on Thursday and President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Netanyahu on Friday to outline Paris’ position, diplomatic sources said.
The French ministry statement, referring to what it called the historic friendship between two democracies committed to the rule of law, said France intended to continue to work closely with Netanyahu and other Israeli authorities “to achieve peace and security for all in the Middle East”.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
France says Israel’s Netanyahu has immunity from ICC arrest
Amid concerns Israel could scupper efforts for a ceasefire, France said it would work closely with the Israeli PM
Paris — France said on Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had immunity given his country was not party to the statutes of the International Criminal Court (ICC) that has sought his arrest, and Paris would continue working closely with him.
France has taken almost a week to come up with a clear position on the matter, after the court in The Hague issued arrest warrants on November 21 for Netanyahu, his former defence chief and a leader of the Hamas Palestinian militant group.
After initially saying it would adhere to the ICC statutes, France’s foreign ministry fine-tuned that in a second statement on November 22 amid concerns that Israel could scupper efforts for a ceasefire in Lebanon, saying it noted that the court’s decision merely formalised an accusation.
On Wednesday, the ministry said France would respect its international obligations, it being understood that the Rome Statute that established the ICC provided that a country cannot be required to act in a manner incompatible with its obligations “with respect to the immunities of states not party to the ICC”.
“Such immunities apply to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other relevant ministers and will have to be taken into consideration should the ICC request their arrest and surrender.”
A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah came into effect on Wednesday after both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the US and France.
France’s foreign affairs minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, spoke to his counterpart in the aftermath of the ICC arrest warrant on Thursday and President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Netanyahu on Friday to outline Paris’ position, diplomatic sources said.
The French ministry statement, referring to what it called the historic friendship between two democracies committed to the rule of law, said France intended to continue to work closely with Netanyahu and other Israeli authorities “to achieve peace and security for all in the Middle East”.
Reuters
NEWS ANALYSIS: Legal threats close in on Israel’s Netanyahu
ICC arrest warrants issued for Israel’s Netanyahu and Gallant, as well as Hamas leader
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire takes effect
Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire holds in first hours, Lebanese civilians start to ...
Hezbollah fires rocket barrage at Israel after Beirut air strike
US vetoes UN resolution on Gaza ceasefire
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.