NEW DELHI: France on Monday expressed its support for the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its fight against impunity, following the ICC prosecutor’s request for arrest warrants for leaders from Israel and Hamas, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“France supports the International Criminal Court, its independence, and the fight against impunity in all situations,” said France’s foreign ministry.
Additionally, the French foreign ministry condemned the “anti-Semitic massacres perpetrated by Hamas” during the group’s attack on Israel on October 7, which “included acts of torture and sexual violence”.
France also cautioned Israel about the need to strictly comply with international humanitarian law, particularly regarding the unacceptable level of civilian casualties in Gaza and inadequate humanitarian access.
ICC prosecutor Karim Khan has applied for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar.
The charges against Israeli leaders include “wilful killing”, “extermination and/or murder”, and “starvation” during the war in Gaza, with Khan accusing Israel of committing “crimes against humanity” through a “widespread and systematic attack against the Palestinian civilian population”.
Hamas leaders are accused of “taking hostages”, “rape and other acts of sexual violence”, and “torture” during the October 7 attack.
Khan further said that international law and the laws of armed conflict apply to everyone, stating, “No foot soldier, no commander, no civilian leader — no one — can act with impunity.”
Israel has rejected the accusations as a “historical disgrace”, while Hamas strongly condemns the move. The United States, a key ally of Israel, has also rejected the ICC’s bid, with President Joe Biden calling it “outrageous” and asserting that there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas.
“France supports the International Criminal Court, its independence, and the fight against impunity in all situations,” said France’s foreign ministry.
Additionally, the French foreign ministry condemned the “anti-Semitic massacres perpetrated by Hamas” during the group’s attack on Israel on October 7, which “included acts of torture and sexual violence”.
France also cautioned Israel about the need to strictly comply with international humanitarian law, particularly regarding the unacceptable level of civilian casualties in Gaza and inadequate humanitarian access.
ICC prosecutor Karim Khan has applied for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar.
The charges against Israeli leaders include “wilful killing”, “extermination and/or murder”, and “starvation” during the war in Gaza, with Khan accusing Israel of committing “crimes against humanity” through a “widespread and systematic attack against the Palestinian civilian population”.
Hamas leaders are accused of “taking hostages”, “rape and other acts of sexual violence”, and “torture” during the October 7 attack.
Khan further said that international law and the laws of armed conflict apply to everyone, stating, “No foot soldier, no commander, no civilian leader — no one — can act with impunity.”
Israel has rejected the accusations as a “historical disgrace”, while Hamas strongly condemns the move. The United States, a key ally of Israel, has also rejected the ICC’s bid, with President Joe Biden calling it “outrageous” and asserting that there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas.