The Quai d’Orsay issued a press release on Wednesday, November 27, regarding the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the Israeli Prime Minister, stating that, according to France, Benyamin Netanyahu enjoys immunity. This, while an article in the Rome Statute establishing the ICC addresses the question of immunity for leaders of countries that do not recognize the Court, but remains open to various interpretations.
“France will respect its international obligations, with the understanding that the Rome Statute requires full cooperation with the ICC and also establishes that a State cannot be required to act in a manner incompatible with its obligations under international law regarding to the immunities of States that are not parties. to the ICC »writes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Quai d’Orsay continues to state that “Such immunities apply to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other relevant ministers and must be taken into consideration if the ICC requests their arrest and surrender.”
Asked on Wednesday morning on Franceinfo about the possibility of an arrest in France of the Israeli Prime Minister, the head of French diplomacy, Jean-Noël Barrot, had mentioned a possible “immunity problems” For “certain leaders” provided for by the Treaty of Rome.
Unclear position
“France is very attached to international justice and will apply international law, which is based on its obligations to cooperate with the ICC”responded Mr. Barrot, emphasizing that the court’s statute “deals with issues of immunity of certain leaders”. “Ultimately, it is up to the judicial authority to decide”he added.
On November 21, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as the head of Hamas’s armed wing, Mohammed Deif, for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Since the announcement of the arrest warrant against Netanyahu, France has repeated that it will implement its obligations under international law, but without clearly saying whether it would arrest the Israeli Prime Minister if he came to France.
A more vague position than that of other countries, such as Italy and the United Kingdom, which have declared that they would be forced to arrest the Israeli head of government if he arrived on their soil. In a press release on Tuesday, six of the G7 member countries, including France (Italy, Canada, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom) stated that they would respect their obligations. “respective” in front of the court, while the United States does not recognize the ICC.
The leader of the environmentalists, Marine Tondelier, described ” pity “ the position of the Quai d’Orsay. “France once again meets Benjamin Netanyahu’s demands by choosing him over international justice”he denounced on Wednesday in X, after the publication of the press release.
