The French Foreign Ministry spoke about the arrest warrants against the Israeli prime minister on November 27. He strongly showed support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The ministry said that this decision of the ICC was not right. These leaders are protected by legal immunities. This is because Israel’s nation is not part of the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the International Criminal Court.
According to French leaders, they would respect these immunities, especially if the International Criminal Court asked for their arrest. It means France never wants the arrest of Netanyahu and Yaov, despite knowing of the serious crimes attempted by Israel.
The statement from the French ministry expressed little support for the ICC’s warrant decision. France admitted the arrest warrants but described these warrants as a formal accusation rather than a final judgment. This was the first time in France’s history that the nation had mentioned immunity for the alleged leaders. It highlights that now France has shifted its priorities.
The commitment of the EU to the ICC faces many difficulties and challenges. The European Union foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, and G7 ministers emphasize following the ICC rulings. There are many Western leaders, such as the officials from the US and Hungary, who criticized the idea of surrendering an Israeli leader to the International Criminal Court. This explores a clear tension between legal principles and political interests.
The reflection of this struggle is highlighted by the French approach. It argues that Israeli leaders have immunity. This is because Israel is a nation that is not a signatory to the Rome Statute. However, the ICC refused to accept the idea of immunity presented by various leaders to overcome arrest warrants. France’s inconsistency becomes evident when compared to its firm stance on the ICC’s warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite Russia’s non-membership. After this Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said that it is good to follow accountability for all ranks.
The selective application of International Criminal Court (ICC) principles reveals political bias in the enforcement of international justice.
During the day of the Lebanon ceasefire that seemed intentional, the timing of the ministry statement and discovery of legal immunity happened. The journalist, Amir Tibon stated that France made this statement under the pressure of Israel. This is because Israel threatened France with excluding it from the ceasefire talks. This means Israel wants the involvement of France in Middle East issues.
However, it seems like this decision will impact French global reputation. If France supports Israel, it means the nation weakens its position as a supporter of international laws and human rights. This bias was also highlighted by the Washington Post. It suggests that the ICC should change its points of focus and pay attention to other nations while ignoring Israel’s cruel actions.
More worries are being raised by France’s claim that Israel’s democratic status excuses its conduct in Gaza. Higher standards are demanded of democracies. France’s professed commitment to democracy is compromised when human casualties are ignored. A contentious political position is reflected in France’s support for Israel. France ignores significant problems, including the 1948 ethnic cleansing, UN resolution breaches, unlawful occupations since 1967, and charges of apartheid and war crimes, by characterizing Israel as a democracy dedicated to the rule of law. Claims of democratic ideals are contradicted by these activities.
Organizations like the French Jewish Union for Peace have criticized Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot for rejecting claims of genocide against Israel. They called his comments antisemitic and denialist, claiming they alienated French Jews by obfuscating the differences between the Israeli government and Jewish identity.
Peace chances are harmed by France’s support of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s policies, which include stifling regional resistance organizations. This tactic exacerbates tensions in the Middle East while ignoring Palestinian rights. France runs the danger of escalating unrest by putting geopolitical relationships ahead of justice. Fairness and equality are necessary for true peace, but France’s actions seem to move this objective further away.
