'Israeli' official government plane, "Wing of Zion".
Netanyahu flight crosses ICC states despite arrest warrant
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister’s plane flies over three ICC signatories despite arrest warrant.
- Greece, Italy and France face legal tension over cooperation with the International Criminal Court.
The official aircraft carrying ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the United States crossed the airspace of three countries that are parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), even though an arrest warrant remains active against him.
The plane known as the “Wing of Zion” departed Ben Gurion Airport and passed over Greece, Italy and France before heading over the Atlantic. All three nations are signatories to the Rome Statute, which legally obliges them to cooperate with ICC arrest warrants, according to flight‑tracking data.
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ICC warrant unresolved
In November 2024 the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant on charges including war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the Gaza Strip conflict. The Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the court, requires member states to execute such warrants when those wanted are found in their territory.
Despite this, the flight path on Sunday marked a change from Netanyahu’s past travel patterns. On a September trip to the United Nations, his plane avoided French airspace even though France had authorized overflight, and instead routed through Greece and Italy only.
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Legal and diplomatic tension
Greece, Italy and France face a sensitive balancing act. Their commitments to the Rome Statute stand in contrast to diplomatic considerations, as officials have allowed the flight despite the active warrant. Observers note that enforcement obligations under international law conflict with decisions by European governments not to detain the ‘Israeli’ leader, according to EuroNews.
The journey highlights ongoing international legal and diplomatic pressures surrounding Netanyahu’s movements and the broader implications of the ICC’s warrant for senior ‘Israeli’ officials.
