Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took an unusual route to Washington, dodging airspace where he risked arrest. His flight carefully avoided several European countries. The reason? A looming international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes.
The flight, tracked by Flightradar23, showed an unusual pattern. Normally, flights from Israel to Washington cross over Greece, Turkey, Italy, Switzerland, France, and Germany. This time, Netanyahu’s aircraft flew over Greece, Italy, and France, then took a long oceanic stretch to the U.S.
Why the ICC wants Netanyahu arrested
In November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant. The charges? War crimes in Gaza. Judges stated that both men intentionally deprived Gaza civilians of essentials for survival. They accused them of bearing “criminal responsibility” for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
This marked a historic first—the ICC had never before issued arrest warrants for Western-allied senior officials. The move sent shockwaves through global politics.
High-stakes visit to Washington
Netanyahu landed in Washington on Sunday. He planned meetings with former U.S. President Donald Trump and top administration officials. The talks were set for Tuesday, but the visit sparked outrage. Human rights groups and several countries slammed the U.S. for hosting a leader accused of war crimes.
Meanwhile, the Israeli leader faces intense criticism back home. A top Israeli negotiator blasted Netanyahu for jeopardizing a fragile Gaza ceasefire. The prime minister reportedly delayed sending a delegation to crucial peace talks in Doha. According to CNN, his refusal to engage on the agreed date threw the ceasefire into uncertainty.
Under the agreement, negotiations for the second phase of the truce should have started Monday. But Netanyahu postponed the talks until after his U.S. visit. Mediators and negotiators reacted with fury.
Trump’s explosive Gaza vomment
Adding to tensions, Trump made a shocking statement about Gaza. He called for the mass transfer of Palestinians from the besieged territory. He suggested Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab nations should take in refugees to “just clean out” the region. The remark stunned West Asia, sparking backlash from leaders and activists alike.
The Fallout: What’s Next?
Netanyahu’s controversial detour has raised serious questions. Will the ICC enforce its arrest warrant? Will European countries take action if he flies over their airspace again? And will the ceasefire talks collapse due to his delayed negotiations?
For now, Netanyahu remains in Washington. But as tensions rise, the world watches closely. His next move could determine both his political fate and the future of the Gaza conflict.
