France has declared that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has immunity from arrest under international law, as Israel is not a signatory to the statutes of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The French government also affirmed its commitment to maintaining close diplomatic relations with Netanyahu despite the court’s recent arrest warrant.
The ICC issued arrest warrants on 21 November for Netanyahu, former defence minister Yoav Gallant, and a senior Hamas leader. While France initially indicated adherence to the ICC statutes, it later clarified that the Rome Statute prevents countries from acting against leaders of non-signatory states, citing obligations regarding state immunity.
“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,” said France’s foreign ministry, adding that this would guide any decision if the ICC requested their arrest.
The announcement coincided with a US- and France-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, which took effect early Wednesday.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot have reaffirmed France’s historical alliance with Israel, expressing a shared commitment to peace and security in the Middle East while navigating this sensitive issue.
