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Netanyahu asked Macron to block ICC arrest warrant enforcement in phone call: Report

November 26, 2024 at 8:45 pm

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France on July 16, 2017 [Mustafa Yalçın – Anadolu Agency]

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, reportedly spoke with French President, Emmanuel Macron, over the phone, requesting that the Paris government not enforce the arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Anadolu Agency reports.

According to a report by RMC radio, Macron and Netanyahu discussed the ICC’s arrest warrant in a phone call held last week.

During the call, Netanyahu reportedly expressed his anger and asked France not to enforce the Court’s decision.

While Macron has not made an official statement on the matter, information obtained by RMC from various sources suggests that Macron told Netanyahu during the conversation that France would uphold international law and noted that judges could grant immunity to heads of state.

On 21 November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

French Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, in remarks made today during a session in parliament, said that France would fulfil its obligations under international law with regard to the ICC’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu.

READ: Italy questions feasibility of ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu