France has declared that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has immunity due to Israel not being a party to the International Criminal Court’s statutes. This decision comes after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other individuals on Nov. 21. France stated that it would continue to work closely with Netanyahu, emphasizing the importance of respecting international obligations and the need to consider the immunities of states not party to the ICC.
The French government took almost a week to formulate its position on the matter, ultimately deciding to stand by Netanyahu and Israel. This decision was influenced by concerns that Israel’s involvement in the ICC case could jeopardize efforts for a ceasefire in Lebanon. A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was brokered by the U.S. and France, with both sides accepting the agreement.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and President Emmanuel Macron have been in contact with Netanyahu to outline Paris’ position and reaffirm their commitment to working towards peace and security in the Middle East. France highlighted the historic friendship between the two democracies committed to the rule of law, emphasizing the importance of continuing to collaborate with Israeli authorities.
This news was generated from an automated news agency feed and reflects the ongoing relationship between France and Israel amidst international legal proceedings involving Netanyahu and the ICC.
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