Netanyahu Avoids Europe Amid ICC Arrest Warrant, Alters Flight to U.S.

New Delhi: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu avoided flying over most of Europe on his way to the United States this week, as an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant remains in effect against him over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

Flight-tracking data showed that Mr. Netanyahu’s official aircraft, Wings of Zion, took a longer route from Tel Aviv to New York, bypassing several European countries. The aircraft flew over the Mediterranean Sea, crossing only Greek and Italian airspace, before heading westward over the Atlantic. The deviation added an estimated 600 kilometres to the journey.

In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Mr. Netanyahu and then-Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, citing alleged violations of international humanitarian law, including the use of starvation as a method of warfare during Israeli military operations in Gaza.

While Israel is not a party to the Rome Statute, which governs the ICC, many European countries are signatories and are therefore legally obliged to execute ICC arrest warrants if a person named in such a warrant enters their territory.

Some European countries, including Ireland and Spain, have publicly indicated they would carry out the warrant if Mr. Netanyahu were to visit. Others have not made their positions clear, citing legal and diplomatic complexities.

On September 25, Slovenia became the first European Union country to announce a formal travel ban on Mr. Netanyahu. A Slovenian foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed the decision, stating it was based on the active ICC arrest warrant.Slovenia’s move follows its joint recognition of Palestinian statehood in June 2024, alongside Ireland, Norway, and Spain. The travel ban also reflects increasing scrutiny of Israeli political leadership in some European countries following recent developments in Gaza.

Mr. Netanyahu’s altered flight path comes ahead of his speech at the United Nations General Assembly and a scheduled meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump. There has been no official response from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office regarding the flight route or the travel restrictions imposed by Slovenia.

The situation highlights growing legal and diplomatic challenges faced by the Israeli leadership as international investigations into the conduct of the war in Gaza continue.

India, which is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, has maintained a balanced position on the Israel-Palestine conflict. While it has expanded strategic cooperation with Israel in recent years, it continues to support a negotiated two-state solution and has called for restraint and adherence to international humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict.