France Defends Netanyahu Airspace Permission
France stated that allowing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's plane to use its airspace, despite the International Criminal Court arrest warrant, complies with international law.
The French Foreign Ministry announced that permitting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to use the country's airspace on his way to the United Nations was in full compliance with international law.
Statement on Compliance with International Law
France officially defended the decision to allow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plane to pass through the country's airspace.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux told the press that this permission was carried out in full compliance with international law.
Rome Statute and Airspace Scope
As a party to the Rome Statute, France is officially bound by the court's founding treaty and is obligated to arrest suspects entering the country.
However, spokesperson Confavreux stated that the Rome Statute does not impose any obligation regarding the airspace passage of a state aircraft carrying a target of an arrest warrant.
Netanyahu's Travel Restrictions and Flight Route
Netanyahu is unable to travel to many countries due to International Criminal Court arrest warrants issued in 2024 for himself, the former defense minister, and Hamas's former military commander.
According to Flightradar24 data, the plane carrying Netanyahu passed through Greek, Italian, and French airspace, while the Italian Foreign Ministry could not immediately respond to the permission request.
UN Visit and Diplomatic Developments
Netanyahu made an unusually short visit to the US to address world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly.
Last year, Netanyahu had taken a circuitous route to avoid the airspace of certain European countries.