Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aircraft crossed the airspace of Greece, Italy and France on Thursday as he travelled to the United States for the UN General Assembly, despite an outstanding International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him.
Flight data from Flightradar24 showed the aircraft leaving Israel early Thursday and passing through the airspace of all three European countries on its journey to the United States. Greece, Italy and France are parties to the Rome Statute, which established the ICC.
ICC member states are generally obliged to cooperate with court requests concerning the arrest and surrender of wanted individuals when they come within their jurisdiction. The Rome Statute, however, does not explicitly require a country to intercept or force an aircraft to land solely because someone subject to an ICC warrant is travelling through its airspace.
Netanyahu’s aircraft followed a similar route during a visit to the United States in July, when it also crossed Greek, Italian and French airspace. During his September 2025 trip to the UN General Assembly, however, his aircraft reportedly travelled over the Mediterranean and through the Strait of Gibraltar rather than following this route.
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant on November 21, 2024, alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the Gaza conflict. Israel has rejected the ICC’s allegations and challenged the court’s jurisdiction.
Separate questions have emerged over where Netanyahu’s aircraft will land in the New York area. Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that John F. Kennedy International Airport would be avoided amid concerns relating to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The newspaper said alternatives included a military airport in New Jersey under federal control or Newark Airport. Netanyahu is scheduled to address the 81st session of the UN General Assembly at 2pm New York time on Thursday.
Protests opposing Netanyahu and Israel’s military campaign in Gaza are also expected during his New York visit.
The Gaza war, which began after the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, has resulted in extensive Palestinian casualties and widespread destruction. The supplied report puts the Palestinian death toll at nearly 74,000 and the number injured at more than 175,000, while UN assessments have estimated Gaza’s reconstruction needs at around $70 billion.
Violence has also intensified in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where Israeli military operations and attacks by settlers against Palestinians and their property have drawn growing international criticism.