The Foreign Ministry did not say outright that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel would be free to travel to France, but it argued that an I.C.C. rule on immunity may apply to him.

France joins Argentina and Hungary in saying they won’t execute the International Criminal Court’s warrants.

The court issued the warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Nov 21.

France said on Wednesday 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.

Provisions for immunity from prosecution at the International Criminal Court apply to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the French foreign ministry said Wednesday."Such immunities apply to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other ministers in question,

The tune-changing was influenced by the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Paris might have also feared pending U.S. legislation

Paris says that while it respects the international justice system, Israel's leaders cannot be held accountable by The Hague as the country is not an ICC member

Several rights groups have slammed France for granting immunity after assisting alongside the U.S. in brokering a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah and Israel.

In a statement, the foreign ministry said France would 'respect its international obligations' but added that the Israeli leader was covered by immunity rules that apply to states that are not a party to the ICC.

The French foreign ministry says it will continue to work closely with the Israeli prime minister due to the "friendship" between the two nations. View on euronews

Israel's prime minister and former defence minister strongly deny allegations of war crimes in Gaza.