"Immunity" for Netanyahu in exchange for France to recognize the ceasefire in Lebanon
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he enjoys "immunity", that is, "political support" for the international community. The Israeli media Haaretz and Maariv have reported that the ceasefire agreed with Lebanon included among their terms the support of the Government of France.
Despite the international arrest warrant against him, the French Government argues that it should not stop the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, because Israel does not recognise the existence of an International Criminal Court (ICC). This diplomatic position, launched on 27 November by the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, has generated affection and anger, among other things, by the structures that defend human rights. What has been clarified is what the Israeli media Haaretz and Maariv have specified: Netanyahu had among its terms the support of the French Government for the proposal for a cease-fire agreed with Lebanon. An Israeli source kept in secret has informed them of this condition, which has been confirmed by the media Israel Hayom, who has informed Efe.
Once again, the French Government has aligned itself with Israel, and that has been the main consequence of the critical voices. Paris has a clear political position: "Following the historic friendship between France and Israel, and being two democracies attached to the rule of law and to professional and independent justice, France wants to continue working closely with Prime Minister Netanyahu and the other Israeli authorities to achieve peace and security for all in the Middle East."
France’s defence goes against the case law
The International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH), which brings together 188 NGOs worldwide for human rights, has strongly denounced the position of France. The Federation states that it is legally going against the law of immunity, making it clear that Article 27 of the Treaty of Rome, on which the MTF is based, annuls any possibility of immunity for Netanyahu. However, despite immunity, the International Criminal Court has an obligation to arrest and prosecute the person: "That is precisely the basis of the NZA: that persons protected by immunities can be tried", as several juristas.Es have warned, further, according to the Treaty of Rome, France is under an obligation to "cooperate fully" with this international tribunal, which is the most respected.
On 21 November, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. At first, the French Government announced that it would respect and comply with the resolution, which led to Netanyahu’s protest by the French Executive. Once again, Paris has gone back and stood next to Israel.
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