Benjamin Netanyahu (File photo)
Because of an ICC arrest warrant issued against him and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant, as well as a separate warrant for a former Hamas military commander, in 2024, netanyahu faces restrictions on travel to several countries. The United States, a close Israeli ally and non-signatory to the Rome Statute, has launched a campaign to isolate the court.
French foreign ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux told reporters the clearance to Netanyahu’s aircraft was “in full conformity with international law. “The Rome Statute does not impose any obligations regarding overflights of its territory by a state plane which has a passenger who is targeted by an arrest warrant,” Confavreux said. Netanyahu’s plane flew over Greece, Italy and France, according to flight-tracking app Flightradar24. An Italian foreign ministry spokesperson said they could not immediately confirm whether Israel had sought permission for the overflight. Last year, Netanyahu took a circuitous route to New York to avoid the airspace of several European countries, including France, according to media reports. President Donald Trump this week urged members of The Hague-based court to leave what he called an “out of control institution”.
France has defended its decision not to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu despite an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against him. France has condemned threats against the ICC.