An unprecedented situation in international diplomacy: the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu is forced to travel to the UN General Assembly in New York via an extended route, bypassing the airspace of most European countries. The reason is an active arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
It is reported that leaders of many European states that have ratified the Rome Statute have made it clear that they would be legally obligated to detain the Israeli aircraft “Wings of Zion” if it appears in their airspace. The warrant is issued on charges of war crimes, allegedly committed in the Gaza Strip.
Against this background, the position of France stands apart. Paris officially stated that it will not detain the Israeli prime minister. However, this decision has caused sharp criticism and dissatisfaction from other European Union members, creating noticeable tension within the bloc regarding compliance with international law.
