**France Indicates Netanyahu Would Not Face Immediate Arrest Despite I.C.C. Warrant**

France's foreign ministry has signaled that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel may not be immediately detained if he enters French territory, despite facing an International Criminal Court (I.C.C.) arrest warrant. While the ministry did not explicitly state that Netanyahu would be free to travel to France, it highlighted that I.C.C. rules on immunity might protect him.

In a careful response to the recent I.C.C. warrants, the foreign ministry emphasized that France is bound by its international commitments. The ministry's statement pointed out that the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the I.C.C., mandates "full cooperation" with the court. However, it also asserts that countries are not obliged to act in ways that contradict international law concerning the immunities of non-I.C.C. member states.

The foreign ministry further clarified that these immunities extend to Netanyahu and his former defense minister, indicating that France would have to weigh these considerations should the I.C.C. request their arrest and surrender. The situation has caused considerable debate among nations, with some, such as Ireland, expressing readiness to detain Netanyahu on their soil, while others, like Italy, question the legality and practicality of doing so.

The I.C.C. warrant accuses Netanyahu of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel's military actions against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In Israel, the warrants have sparked significant outrage, prompting authorities to announce plans to appeal them and request a delay in their execution.