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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's flight to New York this week took an unusual detour, bypassing much of Europe as he traveled to the United Nations General Assembly.
Flight-tracking data showed Netanyahu's aircraft departed Tel Aviv, crossed Greece and Italy, and then diverted south over the Strait of Gibraltar before heading west across the Atlantic. The route avoided French and Spanish airspace, lengthening the journey.
A French diplomatic source told AFP that France had authorized Israeli use of its airspace. "Eventually they decided to take another route and we don’t know the reason," the diplomat said.
Israeli media reported that the detour was linked to concerns about the International Criminal Court. The ICC issued arrest warrants back in November 2024 for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Several European countries, including Spain, have stated that they would support the investigation and could be compelled to enforce the warrants in the event of an emergency landing.
Neither Israel nor the United States is a member of the ICC, but many European states are parties to the Rome Statute, which obligates cooperation with the court.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has not provided an explanation of the flight path. Earlier this month, the office stated that some journalists and entourage members would not accompany Netanyahu due to "technical arrangements related to seating and security," which Israeli media linked to additional fuel requirements.
Netanyahu is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Friday (Sept. 26) and meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington next week.
Speaking to reporters at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport before his departure, Netanyahu said he will condemn the leaders of countries that recognized Palestinian statehood.
Several Western countries, including France, the U.K., Canada, Australia, and Belgium, recognized the state of Palestine this week, raising the total to 159 of the U.N.’s 193 member states.
Netanyahu said he will meet Trump for the fourth time since the US president assumed office in January 2025, to discuss "the great opportunities our victories have brought and our need to complete the war objectives."
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