Barrot evokes “questions of immunity” for “certain leaders”

The head of French diplomacy Jean-Noël Barrot, questioned on Wednesday about the possibility of an arrest in France of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, targeted by an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC), mentioned possible “immunity issues” pour “certain leaders” provided for by the Treaty of Rome. “France is very attached to international justice and will apply international law, which is based on its obligations to cooperate with the ICC”declared Mr. Barrot on franceinfoTV, while emphasizing that the status of the court “addresses questions of immunity on certain leaders”. “It is ultimately up to the judicial authority to decide”he added. 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.

Since the announcement by the ICC of the arrest warrant targeting Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes and crimes against humanity, France has repeated that it will apply its obligations under international law, but without clearly saying whether it would arrest the first Israeli minister if he came to France. A position that is more vague than other countries, such as Italy and the United Kingdom, which immediately announced that they would respect their commitment to the ICC.

In a statement on Tuesday, the G7 countries indicated that they would respect their obligations “respective” opposite the court. The International Criminal Court, which Israel has not joined and which the United States does not recognize, last week issued arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, and the head of the branch Palestinian Hamas army Mohammed Deif for war crimes and crimes against humanity.