Possible ICC arrest warrant: Will Netanyahu make a stop in Europe on his way to Washington?

As the sword of Damocles of a potential arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) continues to hang over his head, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to avoid stopping in Europe on his way to Washington, where he is expected in late July, reports London-based media outlet New Arab.

In late May, the ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, filed a request for an arrest warrant against Netanyahu and his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as against three leaders of the Palestinian movement Hamas. The prosecutor's request is currently being considered by the judges of the pre-trial chamber. If the chamber approves the request by prosecutor Khan, ICC member states will be required to arrest all the indicted figures.

"Member states have a legal obligation to cooperate fully with the court, which includes arresting those named in an arrest warrant," Eitan Diamond of the Diakonia Center for International Humanitarian Law in Jerusalem told Middle East Eye.

Alternative solution to get to Washington

In this context, and according to several Israeli media outlets, Benjamin Netanyahu's plane will not stop in Europe on its way to the United States. This is the decision that was reportedly taken after an assessment of the situation by the Prime Minister's Office. The Kan News channel reported earlier this week that the plane would not be able to make a direct flight to the other side of the Atlantic "due to lack of preparation."

According to the New Arab, which cites the Israeli press, the solution recommended, rather than stopping in countries allied with Israel, is to reduce the load on board the head of the government's plane to ensure that he can arrive in a single flight to Washington. The United States is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, which established the ICC.

The new Labour government in the United Kingdom is expected to withdraw a request filed by Rishi Sunak's previous cabinet with The Hague, which analysts said consisted mainly of delaying the issuance of requests for the arrest of Israeli leaders, as The Guardian revealed earlier this week. A procedure that could speed up the issuance of the arrest warrant, but which is the subject of pressure from the American administration. According to American intelligence sources cited by the Middle East Eye, the United States has made its position clear to the new British Labour government, urging them not to abandon their legal action against the ICC.

After the arrest warrant was requested, the White House said it was an "outrageous" procedure.

This article originally appeared in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.