Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the UN General Assembly on 24 September, where he defended Israel's military actions in Iran, Gaza, and other parts of the Middle East. The International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued an arrest warrant for him related to alleged war crimes. However, despite this legal action, Netanyahu was not detained after his speech. The ICC is a court based in The Hague, Netherlands, that prosecutes individuals for serious crimes such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The arrest warrant for Netanyahu was issued in March 2024, following an investigation into alleged war crimes committed during Israel's military operations in Gaza. However, the court's authority is limited to countries that have accepted its jurisdiction, and Israel is not one of them. Netanyahu was not detained after his speech because the ICC does not have enforcement powers of its own. Its arrest warrants rely on member states to cooperate with the court and arrest the accused. Since Israel is not a member of the ICC, it is not obligated to comply with the arrest warrant. Additionally, the court has no authority to arrest or detain individuals within Israel. The BBC's Nada Tawfik explains that while the ICC's warrant is a legal and symbolic step, it does not immediately affect Netanyahu's ability to move freely or continue his political activities. The situation highlights the complex relationship between international law and national sovereignty.