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Netanyahu's Plane Flies Over France, Italy, and Greece Despite ICC Warrant
Confirmed
In Short: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plane flew over France, Italy, and Greece en route to the US, despite an ICC arrest warrant.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plane flew over France, Italy, and Greece on Thursday, despite an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against him and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes during the October 2023 conflict in Gaza.
The warrant, issued on November 21, 2023, has restricted Netanyahu's travel to many countries. However, France, Italy, and Greece allowed his plane to fly over their airspace.
France defended its decision, stating that international law does not require action against a state plane carrying a passenger targeted by an arrest warrant. A French diplomatic official confirmed that Israel had requested permission to use French airspace, which was granted, though Netanyahu ultimately chose a different route.
Italy's foreign ministry spokesperson said they could not immediately confirm whether Israeli authorities had sought permission for the overflight. The spokesperson noted that Israel is not a party to the Rome Statute, which governs the ICC.
Netanyahu is making an unusually short visit to the US for his address to world leaders at the UN General Assembly. His travel restrictions have previously led him to take circuitous routes to avoid certain European airspace.
France has maintained that it condemns threats against the ICC and that international law does not impose obligations regarding overflights by state planes carrying passengers targeted by arrest warrants.
What's confirmed
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plane flew over France, Italy, and Greece on Thursday, despite an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against him and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes during the October 2023 conflict in Gaza.
- The warrant, issued on November 21, 2023, has restricted Netanyahu's travel to many countries. However, France, Italy, and Greece allowed his plane to fly over their airspace.
- France defended its decision, stating that international law does not require action against a state plane carrying a passenger targeted by an arrest warrant. A French diplomatic official confirmed that Israel had requested permission to use French airspace, which was granted, though Netanyahu ultimately chose a different route.
- Italy's foreign ministry spokesperson said they could not immediately confirm whether Israeli authorities had sought permission for the overflight. The spokesperson noted that Israel is not a party to the Rome Statute, which governs the ICC.
- Netanyahu is making an unusually short visit to the US for his address to world leaders at the UN General Assembly. His travel restrictions have previously led him to take circuitous routes to avoid certain European airspace.
- France has maintained that it condemns threats against the ICC and that international law does not impose obligations regarding overflights by state planes carrying passengers targeted by arrest warrants.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.