Source: The Patriot Light | AWK Network | VIEW ORIGINAL POST ==>
Paris announced its decision just hours after an agreement was reached between Israel and Hezbollah to cease hostilities in Lebanon.
France said on Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had immunity given Israel was not a party to the statutes of the International Criminal Court (ICC) that is seeking his arrest, adding it would continue working closely with Netanyahu.
Member countries of the ICC, such as France, are required to detain suspects facing a warrant if they set foot on their sovereign soil, but the court itself has no way to compel them to do so.
Israel is not a signatory to the court.
Paris took nearly a week to define a clear position on Netanyahu, after the court in The Hague issued arrest warrants on Nov. 21 for him, his former defense chief, and Mohammed Deif, a Hamas leader, over their actions during the war in Israel and Gaza.
After initially saying it would adhere to the ICC statutes, the French foreign ministry issued a second statement on Nov. 22 saying it noted that the court’s decision merely formalized an accusation.
Paris took the action amid concerns that Israel could scupper efforts to establish a cease-fire between the Israel Defense…
