Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s flight to New York for the UN General Assembly took an unusual route on Thursday, bypassing several European countries. Departing Israel with his wife on Wednesday evening, Netanyahu’s plane avoided French and Spanish airspace, opting instead to fly along the Mediterranean Sea and through the Strait of Gibraltar, according to FlightRadar24. The route briefly crossed Greek and Italian airspace but extended the flight’s duration.
Israeli media reported the detour was likely to avoid countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute, which could enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The ICC issued warrants in November for alleged war crimes during Israel’s Gaza offensive. Spain, which recently recognized a Palestinian state alongside Britain, France, Portugal, and others, announced support for the ICC investigation and established a team to probe human rights violations in Gaza.
Despite France authorizing the use of its airspace, Netanyahu’s plane took a southern path across the Atlantic after passing through Greece, Italy, and the Strait of Gibraltar. Netanyahu is set to address the UN General Assembly on Friday and meet US President Donald Trump in Washington next week.
In a statement before departing, Netanyahu said, “I will speak our truth — the truth of Israel’s citizens, IDF soldiers, and our country — at the UN General Assembly. I will denounce leaders who, instead of condemning murderers, rapists, and child burners, want to give them a state in the heart of Israel. This will not happen.” He added that his meeting with Trump would focus on “great opportunities” from Israel’s victories, completing war goals, returning hostages, defeating Hamas, and expanding peace following the “historic victory in ‘Am Kalavi.’”
