How Netanyahu’s Plane Flew Over Three ICC Member States Despite Arrest Warrant To UNGA

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official aircraft, Wing of Zion, flew through the airspace of Greece, Italy and France on Thursday while carrying him to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

All three countries are members of the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes.

Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft departed Israel and crossed Greek, Italian and French airspace before continuing across the Atlantic toward the United States.

France defended allowing the aircraft to cross its airspace, saying international law does not require the country to intercept or force down an aircraft carrying a person subject to an ICC arrest warrant.

Netanyahu’s aircraft also avoided Irish airspace, with flight-tracking data showing the route remained south of Ireland before heading toward North America.

The flight has renewed debate over the obligations of ICC member states and the extent to which an arrest warrant applies when a wanted individual merely transits through national airspace.