UN Expert Criticizes Italy, France, Greece for Allowing Netanyahu’s Airspace Passage

United Nations special rapporteur Francesca Albanese has sharply criticized Italy, France, and Greece for permitting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to fly through their airspace en route to the United States, calling it a violation of their obligations under international law.

Albanese, who oversees human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, highlighted that these countries are signatories to the Rome Statute and, following an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for Netanyahu, are theoretically obligated to apprehend him. She expressed concern over the lack of accountability.

“Italian, French and Greek citizens deserve to know that every political action violating the international legal order weakens and endangers all of them,” Albanese wrote on X, calling for transparency and enforcement of legal responsibilities.

Her statement follows Netanyahu’s flight to Washington to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Albania stressed that allowing passage without detention undermines the integrity of the Rome Statute and international justice systems.

Albanese urged the governments in question to explain their decisions and reinforce the principles of international legal accountability.

With input from Al Jazeera