France has said it believed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had immunity to actions by the International Criminal Court which is seeking his arrest for alleged war crimes in Gaza, given Israel has not signed up to the court statutes. France’s view issued on Wednesday, a day after the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah brokered by the US and France was condemned by rights groups. Other countries including Italy have also questioned the legality of the mandate. A statement by the French Foreign Ministry said it would continue to work closely with Netanyahu.
