Benjamin Netanyahu avoids most of Europe on flight to New York amid International Court arrest warrant
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a highly unusual flight path to New York this week, steering clear of much of European airspace in what observers believe was a move to avoid potential complications from an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, media reports said.
Flight data from Netanyahu’s official aircraft, the Wings of Zion, showed the jet detouring south across the Mediterranean before passing near Greece and Italy, exiting through the Strait of Gibraltar, and then heading over the Atlantic to the United States.
The route was nearly 600 km longer than the standard, more direct course over central Europe.
The diversion comes after the ICC issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, allegations Israel has strongly rejected.
Several European ICC member states, including Ireland and Spain, have declared they would honor the warrants and detain Netanyahu if he entered their territory.
France has stated that it will not detain him, while Italy has raised doubts about the feasibility of such a move.
Although Israel reportedly requested and received clearance to use French airspace, a French diplomatic source told The Times of Israel that the Israeli delegation opted for an alternate route.
“They decided to take another route, and we don’t know the reason,” the official said.
The altered flight plan highlights the diplomatic and legal challenges posed by the ICC’s move. Both Israel and the United States, like Russia, are not ICC members, but member states are bound to act on its warrants.
Netanyahu is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly on Friday before traveling to Washington for a meeting with US President Donald Trump next week.
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