Amnesty accuses France of ‘double standard’ over Netanyahu plane

Amnesty International on Wednesday accused France of applying a “double standard” after it allowed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plane to cross its airspace while President Emmanuel Macron was calling for respect for international law, Anadolu reports.

“Does France not contribute to impunity when it allows access to its territory to the Israeli prime minister, who is wanted for crimes against humanity?” Amnesty said on US social media company X.

The rights group said Macron had made “fine statements” at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday about defending international law and justice, while France had that same day authorized Netanyahu’s plane to fly over its territory for the fifth time.

Netanyahu is subject to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

– ‘Actions must follow fine speeches’

The group also questioned France’s position on Gaza, citing Macron’s statement: “But what is our credibility if we continue to remain inactive in the face of Gaza?”

“Does France not risk actively participating in the genocide in Gaza by maintaining its transfers of military equipment to Israel?” Amnesty said.

The rights group also accused France of a “double standard” over its position at the International Court of Justice, noting that it worked with Gambia in a case alleging genocide against Rohingya Muslims while not doing the same with South Africa in its Gaza case.

“France must defend international law. More than ever,” Amnesty said

“But France’s actions must follow its fine speeches,” the group added.

– Macron’s UN speech

Macron told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that the international community’s credibility was at stake if it remained inactive on Gaza and described the continued restrictions on humanitarian aid as “shameful.”

He also warned that international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions were facing a serious challenge amid conflicts around the world.

“War crimes have been industrialized,” Macron said, adding that the Geneva Conventions’ “protective framework” was being dismantled.

“We cannot simply accept this new order of impunity, which some are trying to erect,” he said.

READ: Sanchez accuses Netanyahu of continuing mass killing in Gaza at UN