France Does Not Answer Question About Potential Arrest Of Netanyahu And Gallant In Case Of Visit To French Soil

The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs published on Friday an official reaction to the issuance of arrest warrants on Thursday by the International Criminal Court (ICC), against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant. Contrary to what was announced here and in the Israeli press, she does not answer the question of whether she would arrest Netanyahu and Gallant in the event of visits to French soil.

French diplomacy specifies that the issuance of these warrants by the Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC “is not a judgment but the formalization of an accusation”. “France nevertheless takes note of this decision” and recalls “its long-standing commitment to supporting international justice” and “its attachment to the independent work of the Court”.

The ministry then addresses the situation in Gaza, mentioning its demand for “strict respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians”, which applies to “all parties”.

Paris then reiterates its call for a “massive entry of humanitarian aid” into the Palestinian territory and insists on “the unacceptable nature of civilian losses”. The statement concludes with a demand for a “permanent ceasefire to end the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.”

Remember that certain countries have announced that they will not comply with the ICC arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, including Hungary and the United States. Joe Biden declared that the issuance of these mandates was “scandalous” and recalled that Israel and Hamas could in no way be put on the same level. “We will always side with Israel in the face of threats to its security.” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban invited Benjamin Netanyahu to Budapest, assuring him that the ICC arrest warrant “would not be implemented”.