Israel urges ‘countries of the civilized world’ to oppose ICC prosecutor’s request and not implement arrest warrants against its leadersa government spokesman said on Tuesday.

Asked whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or Defense Minister Yoav Gallad would avoid traveling to countries that have signed the Rome Statute in case arrest warrants are issued against them, the spokesman, Tal Heinrich, said: “Let’s wait and see.”

Paris is taking a different stance from the rest of Western diplomacy after the International Criminal Court prosecutor’s decision to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders, including its leader Ismail Haniya.

Which countries differ from others in their approach to arrest warrants?

“France supports the International Criminal Court, its independence, and the fight against impunity in all situations,” he said in a statement released by French diplomacy after the request for the arrest warrants.

“France has condemned since October 7 the anti-Semitic massacres committed by Hamas. This terrorist organization has claimed responsibility for barbaric attacks targeting civilians, torture and sexual violence that have been documented, “reproduced” and “celebrated”, the French Foreign Ministry continues.

As for Israel, “France has been warning for months about the imperative to strictly observe international humanitarian law” and “the unacceptable nature of the civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip and the insufficient access to humanitarian aid,” the statement added .

He also emphasizes that a “lasting political solution” is the “only” way to have a “horizon of peace”.

Belgium is moving on the same wavelength as French diplomacy. In her post, Belgian Foreign Minister Haja Lahbib said that “the crimes committed in Gaza must be prosecuted at the highest level, regardless of the perpetrator.

And Slovenia’s foreign ministry issued a statement in the same vein, noting that war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on Israeli and Palestinian territory “must be prosecuted independently and impartially regardless of the perpetrators.”

“Accountability is vital to prevent atrocities and ensure peace,” the Slovenian Foreign Ministry said.