Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

Fearing arrest in Europe, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flew to the UN General Assembly via an alternate route over the Mediterranean Sea rather than a direct route over Europe. According to flight data, his aircraft, the Wing of Zion, avoided the airspace of several European countries that could implement the International Criminal Court (ICC) conviction. Although the plane flew over Greece and Italy, its path continued south toward the Strait of Gibraltar before crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Shorter routes over France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and the United Kingdom would have been more economical, but all of these countries are signatories to the ICC treaty and are legally obligated to arrest him if he entered their airspace or land. Although France initially granted permission to use its airspace, Netanyahu nevertheless decided not to fly over it, possibly due to a change in the flight plan during the flight, the Belgian daily Newsblad reported on Friday. The Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post reported that he left some journalists and staff at home to lighten up his load. Netanyahu is wanted on charges including using starvation as a method of warfare, but he has so far refused to recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. He is scheduled to address the UN summit on Friday and will meet with Donald Trump next week.

In the same context   Playbook, the European version of the American magazine Politico, reported that dockworkers are dev
eloping a plan to obstruct Israel while EU capitals squabble over its response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Those directly involved in keeping Israel connected to the world are united to take concrete action.
The magazine explained that starting Friday, dockworkers will meet in Genoa, Italy, to develop plans to prevent arms shipments that could be used in Gaza. Under the title "Mediterranean Workers, Unite: European Magazine," this effort could expand to include a broader trade blockade of Israel. "In the future, this could mean taking coordinated action in European ports against weapons and all goods destined for Israel," said Francesco Staccioli of the Italian dockworkers' union (USB), which is hosting labor organizers from ports in Spain, France, Greece, Cyprus, Morocco, and Germany. Earlier this year, dock workers in Marseille intercepted a shipment of military equipment bound for Israel, while Greek workers in Piraeus organized demonstrations to prevent arms shipments.
Regarding the handling of the "Global Resilience" flotilla—a humanitarian aid convoy featuring climate activist Greta Thunberg and several members of the European Parliament—the magazine reported that MEPs are demanding Frontex protection: It reported that Danilo Della Valle, an MEP from the Italian Left bloc in the European Parliament, and 57 MEPs from the Socialists and Democrats, the Greens, and the Left, are demanding that the European Border Management Agency, Frontex, protect the "Resilience" flotilla. Following what the organizers described as an Israeli drone attack, the MEPs said in a letter to the Commission that Frontex "must protect the ships of the "Global Resilience" flotilla to ensure the protection of European citizens on board and prevent new and potential attacks by the Israeli Navy." Concerning further problems for Israel, The New York Times reported on Thursday that the board of the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the Eurovision Song Contest, announced that it will host an extraordinary general meeting in early November, where member broadcasters will vote on whether to allow Israel to participate next year. The newspaper reported that UEFA will decide next week whether to suspend Israel from European soccer, with most members of its executive committee supporting the decision.
In the same context, last August, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that he would halt arms exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza. Germany has since not approved any new arms exports to the country, effectively going beyond what his pledge indicated.
US President Donald Trump confirmed a Politico report earlier this week that he would prevent Israel from annexing the West Bank. Trump said, "I will not allow it. It will not happen."
Against this backdrop, Netanyahu heads to the UN General Assembly: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will deliver his speech at the UN General Assembly at 3 p.m. Brussels time today. He vowed to condemn leaders seeking to establish a Palestinian state. His plane bound for the United States avoided European airspace, according to The Times of Israel.