Netanyahu Flies Through Canada and Europe Despite ICC Warrant

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled through the airspace of Canada, France, Italy, and Greece on Thursday while en route to address the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The flights occurred despite an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued in November 2024, which alleges war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.

In Canada, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand investigated the flight route, and her office later confirmed the overflight authorization was related to the UN General Assembly and not an endorsement of any government's policies. This decision follows a statement from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in October, who asserted that Netanyahu would be arrested if he entered Canada.

European nations France, Italy, and Greece also permitted the aircraft to cross their airspace. France argued that the Rome Statute does not obligate member states to intercept state aircraft merely passing through their airspace. To avoid potential complications with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, reports indicate Netanyahu will land at a military airport or Newark Airport in New Jersey rather than John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Mayor Mamdani stated that while New York City lacks the independent legal authority to enforce the ICC warrant, he called on the U.S. federal government to execute it. Israel has rejected the ICC allegations and disputed the court's jurisdiction.