Israel said to have conditioned French involvement in truce on statement that warrants won’t be enforced

By Jacob Magid

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27 November 2024, 6:01 pm 16 Edit

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron (L), as they hold a joint press conference in Jerusalem on October 24, 2023. (Christophe Ena/Pool/AFP)

Israel conditioned France’s involvement in the Lebanon ceasefire deal on Paris publicly announcing that it would not comply with the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he enters the country, Haaretz and the Kan public broadcaster report.

Hours after the Lebanon ceasefire went into place, France made an announcement saying it can’t arrest Netanyahu because it believes the Israeli premier has immunity from the ICC. The French statement appeared to contradict the one it made shortly after the arrest warrants were issued, when Paris said it would uphold the court’s decision.

The ICC’s war crimes allegations against Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant have been strongly rejected by Israel.