France caused a stir by declaring that the Israeli leader enjoyed “immunity” from the ICC arrest warrant. It's a legal statement, but also a highly political one, as Israel has threatened to remove France from the Lebanese Ceasefire Monitoring Committee.

The Foreign Ministry did not say outright that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel would be free to travel to France, but it argued that an I.C.C. rule on immunity may apply to him.

France said on Wednesday it believed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had immunity to actions by the International Criminal Court which is seeking his arrest for alleged war crimes in Gaza, given Israel has not signed up to the court statutes.

Provisions for immunity from prosecution at the International Criminal Court apply to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the French foreign ministry said Wednesday.

The French Foreign Ministry announced its belief that Israeli leaders whom the International Criminal Court have issued arrest warrants for over alleged war crimes in Gaza actually have “immunities” from such prosecution.

France believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could have immunity from an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court because Israel is not a member of the organisation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant are wanted men under an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court last week —but France could still be a safe place for them to visit.

The French foreign ministry says it will continue to work closely with the Israeli prime minister due to the "friendship" between the two nations. View on euronews