Officials at the relevant dates
Emmanuel Macron, president; Jean-Noël Barrot, foreign minister, at the November 2024 declaration. [S115, S123]
The foreign ministry’s declaration
On 27 November 2024 France stated that immunities connected to states outside the ICC applied to Netanyahu and relevant ministers and would need consideration if arrest and surrender were requested. It also asserted respect for international obligations. [S115]
A potential barrier to accountability
The declaration placed an asserted immunity between the warrant and possible execution. It is a government legal position, not a judicial determination that the warrant was invalid, and not evidence of a visit during which France actually refused arrest.
What was available
Engage the Court’s cooperation processes and seek authoritative resolution of objections, while publishing a clear account of how obligations would be fulfilled.
Separate levers
This entry concerns court cooperation. It does not treat France’s UN votes, arms policy and peace diplomacy as identical to this declaration.