France pledges to enforce ICC warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest if he visits

France has announced that it will honour its commitments regarding the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is accused of war crimes related to the Gaza Strip. 

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier emphasized that Paris would "strictly adhere" to its obligations, stating, "The ICC acts independently," and adding, "It is not for us to comment on this decision" when addressing members of the French National Assembly, Caliber.Az reports via French media.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also reiterated France's position, confirming that Paris would apply international law if Netanyahu were to arrive, though he acknowledged it as a "hypothetical question" for now.

Eleven non-governmental organizations, including the Ligue de Droit de l'homme (LDH) and the French Palestinian Solidarity Association (AFPS), have urged France to enforce the ICC's arrest warrants for both Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. These NGOs emphasized that the warrants should be acted upon if either individual enters French territory and called on France to continue supporting the ICC, stating, "The issuance of these warrants underscores the necessity of imposing sanctions on Israeli authorities."

Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin addressed the issue during a TV appearance, where he was asked whether France should enforce the warrants if Netanyahu visits. De Villepin referenced a statement by former Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourne, saying, "France has already addressed this issue through former Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourne, who stated, 'Of course, France will implement the ICC's decision.'"

On November 21, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, accusing them of "war crimes and crimes against humanity" committed in Gaza. The ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber found "reasonable grounds to believe" that both leaders used starvation as a method of warfare, in addition to committing murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts, including targeted attacks on civilians, between October 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024.

On the same day, the ICC also issued a warrant for Mohammed al-Deif, a Hamas leader allegedly killed by the Israeli army in August, who was accused of overseeing the construction of Gaza's tunnel network and directing military operations.

While French officials have refrained from directly answering whether the warrants will be enforced, French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine described it as "a legally complex question" during a weekly news briefing. The Ministry later clarified that the warrants were "not a trial but the formalization of accusations." 

By Tamilla Hasanova