The ICC complaint singles out Macron, Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu, and Armed Forces General Thierry Burkhard. It alleges they bear responsibility for authorizing and maintaining arms shipments to Israel, which the lawyers claim were used in Gaza despite international calls for a ceasefire.

According to the filing, “continued military support and weapons transfers” from France to Israel facilitated attacks that killed civilians and destroyed infrastructure. The petition also criticizes Macron for failing to condemn Israel’s actions, accusing him of “diplomatic alignment” that enabled further military escalation.

Lawyers from Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Belgium, and France coordinated the legal initiative. Many of them are affiliated with pro-Palestinian rights groups and international human rights organizations.

Legal Ramifications And International Pressure

The ICC, which is already conducting an investigation into potential war crimes in Gaza, may consider this filing as part of its broader inquiry. While heads of state enjoy immunity in certain legal systems, the ICC’s jurisdiction allows it to pursue cases against sitting leaders for crimes such as genocide and crimes against humanity.

The petition comes amid mounting global concern over civilian casualties and infrastructure devastation in Gaza, where over 59,000 people have reportedly been killed since the start of Israel’s military campaign. French authorities have yet to issue a formal response, though the filing has stirred debate within France’s legal and political circles.

The lawyers stressed that their objective is to ensure accountability and push governments to halt arms exports that may facilitate international law violations. “Silence is complicity,” one of the co-signers said, urging the ICC to investigate whether France’s policies contributed materially to atrocities in Gaza.