Archive · 24 Sep 2026
France Defends Netanyahu Overflight Despite ICC Arrest Warrant
France allowed Benjamin Netanyahu’s plane to fly through its airspace.
Netanyahu has an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.
France said the warrant did not require it to stop or divert a state plane carrying him.
France also said the decision followed international law.
His plane flew over Greece, Italy and France before reaching New York.
Israel rejects the court’s authority and denies committing war crimes in Gaza.
The warrants concern alleged war crimes linked to the Gaza conflict.
Netanyahu was visiting the United States to speak at the United Nations.
France said international law did not require action against Benjamin Netanyahu’s plane.
Netanyahu’s aircraft crossed Greece, Italy and France en route to New York.
The ICC issued warrants in 2024 against Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant and a Hamas commander.
Israel rejects the ICC’s jurisdiction and denies war crimes in Gaza.
Netanyahu traveled to the United States for a short United Nations visit.
- Who
- French authorities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the International Criminal Court were central to the dispute.
- What
- France permitted Netanyahu’s plane to overfly its territory despite an ICC arrest warrant against him.
- When
- Thursday, September 24; the warrants were issued in 2024.
- Where
- The plane flew over Greece, Italy and France while traveling to New York.
- Why
- Netanyahu was traveling to address world leaders at the United Nations, while France said international law imposed no obligation to stop the overflight.
French Legal Position
Israel and ICC Dispute
Effect of the arrest warrant
French Legal Position
France said the Rome Statute does not impose obligations concerning overflights by a state plane carrying someone targeted by an arrest warrant.
Israel and ICC Dispute
Israel rejects the ICC’s jurisdiction and is contesting the warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant.
Alleged conduct in Gaza
French Legal Position
France’s statement focused on the legal question of the overflight and did not determine the underlying war-crimes allegations.
Israel and ICC Dispute
Israel denies war crimes in Gaza and says its military campaign was aimed at eliminating Hamas after the October 7, 2023 attack.
International Criminal Court
French Legal Position
France has condemned threats against the court and remains a signatory to its founding Rome Statute.
Israel and ICC Dispute
Donald Trump called the ICC an out-of-control institution and urged its members to withdraw, while Israel rejects its authority.
- French position
- France said the overflight clearance was fully consistent with international law.
- ICC warrants
- The court issued warrants in 2024 against Netanyahu, his then-defense minister Yoav Gallant, and a then-military commander of Hamas.
- Flight route
- Flight-tracking data showed the plane crossed Greece, Italy and France.
- Destination
- Netanyahu traveled to New York for an address to the United Nations General Assembly.
- Israeli position
- Israel rejects the ICC’s jurisdiction and denies war crimes in Gaza.
- Conflict context
- Israel says its Gaza military campaign followed Hamas’s deadly October 7, 2023 attack and aimed to eliminate the group.
- United States position
- President Donald Trump urged ICC members to leave what he called an out-of-control institution.