France says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has immunity and will continue to cooperate with him World News

PARIS, France said Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been exempted from the International Criminal Court’s provisions calling for his arrest, citing the country’s non-participation in the International Criminal Court, and that Paris will continue to work closely with him. I announced that I would go.

It took France almost a week to take a clear position on the issue after a court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Netanyahu, a former defense chief and leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, on November 21. did.

The French Foreign Ministry initially said it would abide by ICC rules, but a second statement on November 22 amid concerns that Israel could undermine ceasefire efforts in Lebanon tweaked that policy, saying the court’s decision was merely a formalization of the charges.

On Wednesday, the ministry said the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, is understood to provide that “with regard to the immunity of non-state parties, states are not required to act inconsistently with their obligations” and that France respects its international obligations. Ta. To the ICC.”

“Such immunity applies to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other relevant ministers and must be considered in the event the ICC requests their arrest and extradition.”

A ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah took effect on Wednesday after both countries accepted an agreement brokered by the United States and France.

Diplomatic sources said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrault met with foreign ministers on Thursday in response to the ICC’s arrest warrant, and President Emmanuel Macron met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday to outline Paris’ position.

A statement from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited the historic friendship between the two democracies, which uphold the rule of law, and said France “continues to work with Prime Minister Netanyahu and others to achieve peace and security for all peoples in the Middle East.” “We will continue to work closely with the Israeli authorities.” ”

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