Paris
France and Norway have expressed support for the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif. The ICC has accused Netanyahu and Gallant of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity between October 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024. Deif is similarly accused of war crimes in both Israel and Palestine from October 7, 2023.
France’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Christophe Lemoine, affirmed the ICC as a critical entity for maintaining global stability, emphasizing that its orders must be respected in all circumstances. Lemoine stressed that fighting impunity remains France’s priority. When questioned on whether Netanyahu would be arrested if he visited France, Lemoine described the situation as legally complex without offering a direct answer.
Meanwhile, Norway’s Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide, also voiced support for the ICC’s actions. Eide stated that the ICC plays an essential role in holding individuals accountable for grave crimes and expressed confidence that the Court would proceed with fairness in the case.
Both nations have also expressed concerns over the destruction of cultural heritage sites in Gaza and Lebanon during the ongoing conflict.
