URGENT UPDATE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken an unusual flight path as he heads to the United States, avoiding European airspace amid fears of an outstanding arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes. The flight, which departed from Tel Aviv on Wednesday evening, is a strategic maneuver to prevent potential legal action in countries that could enforce the warrant.
Netanyahu’s journey to speak at the United Nations General Assembly and meet with President Donald Trump has taken a longer route over the Mediterranean Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar, according to flight tracking data from FlightRadar24. This decision marks a stark contrast to his previous trip in July, which flew over Greece, Italy, and France.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has not clarified why this route was chosen, but it has been confirmed that the flight briefly overflew Greek and Italian airspace while completely avoiding French and Spanish territories, extending the flight time. A French diplomatic source revealed that France had initially accepted an Israeli request for airspace access but indicated that the final decision to alter the route was made by Israeli officials.
The ICC issued the arrest warrant against Netanyahu last November, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s actions. As neither Israel nor the United States are members of the ICC, Netanyahu’s flight avoidance is a clear reflection of the legal vulnerabilities he faces during international travel.
In a related note, it was reported that certain journalists and members of Netanyahu’s entourage would not accompany him due to “technical arrangements related to seating and security,” as announced by the PMO two weeks ago. This adjustment is believed to be an attempt to mitigate the additional fuel costs incurred by the extended flight.
As the world watches this developing situation, the implications of Netanyahu’s flight route raise critical questions about international law and the potential for legal consequences. Observers are keenly aware that any unexpected landing in European nations could lead to serious ramifications for the Israeli leader.
Stay tuned for further updates on this unfolding story as it continues to develop.
