Israeli broadcasting authority "Kan" reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided not to stop in Europe during his trip to the United States due to concerns about an arrest warrant being prepared against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Times of Israel noted that Netanyahu "considered and then decided" against visiting the Czech Republic and Hungary on his way to the U.S. to deliver a speech before Congress on July 24, amidst fears that the ICC is preparing an arrest warrant for him.
If the ICC's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, is granted an arrest warrant, the Czech Republic and Hungary would be obliged to detain Netanyahu. Both countries described the request as "unacceptable," according to the Israeli newspaper.
Netanyahu reportedly considered the stopovers after it became clear that the Israeli Prime Minister's plane, known as the "Zion Wing," would not be able to make a transatlantic flight if carrying a full load of passengers. Instead of stopping, the Prime Minister will travel directly with a limited entourage to Washington, D.C.
In May, Karim Khan announced that he was seeking arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant due to suspected crimes such as "causing genocide, causing famine as a method of warfare including the deprivation of humanitarian relief supplies, and deliberately targeting civilians in the conflict." He also stated that he was seeking arrest warrants for Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and Mohammed Deif.
