Natenyahu

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Flight records have indicated that the aircraft conveying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu passed through the airspace of three member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) even though an arrest warrant remains in force against him.

According to TRT World, data obtained from flight-tracking platform FlightRadar showed that the plane flew over Greece, Italy, and France while heading to the United States.

The ICC issued the warrant on November 21, 2024. The court accused Netanyahu of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, where more than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023.

Greece, Italy, and France are all signatories to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. Member states are required to cooperate with the court. This obligation includes enforcing arrest warrants issued by the tribunal. Despite this responsibility, none of the three countries shut their airspace to the Israeli leader’s aircraft.

The route taken mirrors a similar journey in late December when Netanyahu also travelled to the United States for talks with President Donald Trump.

On earlier trips, the Israeli prime minister avoided certain national airspaces due to fears of possible arrest. During his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September last year, his plane crossed Greece and Italy but did not enter French airspace, according to flight data from that period.

Netanyahu departed Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on Tuesday. He is expected to meet President Trump in Washington for discussions centred on Iran.

The visit followed indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran held in Muscat, the capital of Oman. The talks came amid heightened regional tensions and a growing US military presence in the area.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

In a fiery speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, accusing Western nations of rewarding terrorism and pushing Israel toward “national suicide.”

Addressing the assembly on Friday, Netanyahu sharply criticized recent decisions by Britain, France, and other powers to recognize a state of Palestine.

“Israel will not allow you to shove a terrorist state down our throats,” he declared, arguing that such moves send a message that “murdering Jews pays off.”

The speech came amid ongoing efforts by US President Donald Trump to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

Trump, following Netanyahu’s address, stated, “I think we have a deal.” However, Netanyahu vowed to continue Israel’s military campaign against Hamas, promising to “finish the job.”

Netanyahu’s appearance at the UN was marked by controversy. Facing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes, he took an unusual route to New York.

As he spoke, several delegations walked out, and protesters gathered nearby calling for his arrest.

The Israeli leader aggressively defended his country’s actions in Gaza, challenging genocide allegations and stating that civilians were urged to flee.

The conflict, triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,219 people in Israel, has resulted in over 65,549 Palestinian deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Netanyahu also claimed parts of his speech were broadcast via loudspeakers in Gaza, aimed at both Hamas leaders and the remaining Israeli hostages, assuring them, “We have not forgotten you.”