France authorised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plane to fly through French airspace on 22 September as he travelled to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, Middle East Monitor reported, citing a diplomatic source and Anadolu Agency.
European Parliament member Emma Fourreau criticised the decision on X, saying it was the fifth time France had allowed the flight and arguing that the authorisation conflicted with international law. She referred to the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged crimes in Gaza.
Previous overflights and ICC warrant
The report said Netanyahu’s aircraft had previously crossed French territory in July 2026, and in February, April and July 2025. The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
The French authorisation and Fourreau’s criticism were reported by Middle East Monitor. The report did not include a statement from the French government explaining its decision.
Source: Middle East Monitor, citing Anadolu Agency, 22 September 2026.
