Brussels: The European Commission has emphasized the importance of cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's aircraft crossing the airspace of several ICC member states en route to the United States.

According to Anadolu Agency, during a midday press briefing, European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni refrained from commenting on Netanyahu's specific situation. Instead, he reiterated the EU's steadfast support for the ICC, highlighting the principles set out in the Rome Statute. El Anouni underscored the EU's commitment to international criminal justice and the fight against impunity, urging all states to cooperate fully with the court, including executing outstanding arrest warrants.

Netanyahu's recent flight path took him through the airspace of Greece, Italy, and France, all of which are parties to the Rome Statute, as he traveled to Washington, DC. This route mirrored those taken during his previous visits to the United States on Dec. 28, 2025, and Feb. 10. Notably, during a trip to New York in September 2025, his aircraft crossed Greek and Italian airspace but did not enter French airspace.

The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel's actions in Gaza. While the Rome Statute obligates states to cooperate with the ICC, including the arrest of fugitives within their territory, it does not explicitly address whether these obligations extend to the overflight of a state's territory by an aircraft carrying a suspect sought by the ICC.