Former French premier urges prosecution of Israeli government before International Criminal Court
Former premier also calls for suspension of EU-Israel agreement, arms embargo
ISTANBUL
Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin on Tuesday urged the prosecution of Israeli officials before the International Criminal Court (ICC), suspending the European Union–Israel agreement and imposing an arms embargo against Israel.
"There are three things that must be done. First, immediately suspend the EU-Israel agreement. The majority of Israel’s trade is with Europe, suspend it. Second, immediately impose an arms embargo from all European countries. Third, bring the entire Israeli government and senior military officials before the International Criminal Court," Villepin told the France Info broadcaster.
He noted that the world is witnessing an "Israeli plan" rather than "improvisation," aiming for the "reoccupation" and the "annexation" of the Gaza Strip.
"The political objective of Benjamin Netanyahu and his government is the deportation of Gaza’s population," he added.
The former premier warned that the world is "caught in a spiral of violence," leading to further conflict, the resupply of Israel and a likely surge in terrorism across the region.
Asked to comment on the recent call between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, Villepin described it as a "charade," underlining that it was "just theater."
"Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are not truly determined to move forward,” he said. “What matters to Donald Trump is not Ukraine, but the bilateral relationship with Russia and the enormous economic development opportunities the Russian territory presents.”
