French lawyer behind Netanyahu arrest warrant dies

Prominent French lawyer Gilles Devers, renowned for his unwavering support for Palestinian justice, has passed away. Devers spearheaded efforts alongside human rights organizations and over 500 lawyers to bring cases to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague last November.

Devers’ passing was mourned by advocates for the Palestinian cause on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), with many recalling his firm stance on defending Palestinian rights.

Despite suffering from severe illness, he expressed to his son, "Now I can die in peace" when the warrants were issued. Despite the pain, he was determined to speak to the media about this significant legal victory, delivering his final remarks on the matter to Al Jazeera, as reported by Middle East Monitor.

Read more: ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant

An international lawyer, Devers represented the Palestinian people before the International Court of Justice and was widely recognized for his steadfast commitment to their cause throughout his career.

Devers founded the International Lawyers Committee, a global network of over 500 legal experts dedicated to holding perpetrators of war crimes accountable. The committee played a pivotal role in presenting cases to the ICC, which led to arrest warrants being issued against Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

In a previous statement about a complaint he filed alongside 400 lawyers at the ICC on behalf of the Palestinian people, Devers remarked:
"In the case of Palestine, all the criteria for genocide are evident."

He urged governments to take a clear stance, saying:
"Governments must choose which side they are on—whether they stand for human rights or genocide. They cannot deliver speeches about international law and human rights while remaining silent in the face of such aggression."

Devers further warned that the ICC’s credibility was at stake, stating:
"If the ICC does nothing, it will be the end of the court. We have sufficient evidence to issue an arrest warrant against Netanyahu."