Report: Netanyahu mulled Europe stopover but will fly directly to US amid ICC fears

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu considered, then decided against, visiting the Czech Republic and Hungary on the way to the United States when he travels to address Congress on July 24, the Kan public broadcaster reports, amid fears the International Criminal Court was readying an arrest warrant against him.

If the International Criminal Court accepts its chief prosecutor’s request for an arrest warrant, the Czech Republic and Hungary must arrest Netanyahu. Both countries have called the request “unacceptable.”

Netanyahu reportedly mulled the stopovers after it was understood that the prime minister’s plane, Wing of Zion, was unable to make a transatlantic flight while carrying a full load of passengers.

Instead of the stopovers, the prime minister will travel directly with a limited entourage to Washington, DC, the report says.

ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan announced in May that he was seeking arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant due to suspected crimes of “causing extermination, causing starvation as a method of war including the denial of humanitarian relief supplies, deliberately targeting civilians in conflict.”

He also said he was seeking arrest warrants for Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and Mohammed Deif.