France Is 'Abu-abu' Regarding Netanyahu's Arrest Order

UNSPLASH/Yuedongzi CHAI ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - France softened its reaction to the International Criminal Court (ICC) decision to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"France pays attention to this decision. In accordance with the long-standing commitment to support international justice, France reaffirms its ties to independent work of the Court, in accordance with Rome's Statutes," said French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine., Friday, November 22

Lemoine said France's response would be in line with Rome's Statute principles, but declined to say whether Paris would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he came to France, saying it was legal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can still travel abroad. But the risk is that Netanyahu could be arrested by a member state of the International Criminal Court (ICC) who issued an arrest warrant for a war crime.

Reported by Reuters, Thursday, November 21, the issuance of an ICC arrest warrant is not an official travel ban.

However, they are at risk of being arrested if they travel to the ICC signatory country, which may affect the decision making of individuals included in the arrest warrant.

There is no limit for political leaders, lawmakers, or diplomats to meet with individuals who have an ICC arrest warrant.

There are 124 ICC member states required by a court establishment law to arrest and hand over any individual subject to an ICC arrest warrant if the individual sets foot on their territory.

There is no police, so the arrest of the suspect must be carried out by a member state.

ICC members cover all EU countries, UK, Canada, Japan, Brazil, and Australia.

In the Middle East region, Palestinian and Jordanian territories are members of the ICC. Israel is not a member country, nor is the United States.

Meanwhile, Ireland is ready to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he comes to the country following a warrant for the arrest of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

"Yes, of course. We support international courts and we apply their warrants," Prime Minister Simon Harris told national television station RTE.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he would invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Hungary. The Orban guarantees a warrant for the arrest of the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Netanyahu "will not be obeyed".