Netanyahu’s Plane takes detour to UN amid ICC arrest warrant concerns

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s flight to New York for the United Nations General Assembly took an unusual route on Thursday, avoiding several European countries.

Although France had authorised Israel’s use of its airspace, flight-tracking data showed Netanyahu’s plane instead travelled south through Greece and Italy, passed the Strait of Gibraltar, and then crossed the Atlantic.

The detour came just days after Britain, France, and Portugal joined other nations in recognising a Palestinian state — a move Netanyahu strongly opposes. Ireland and Spain had earlier announced similar recognition in May.

According to Israeli media reports, the unusual route was designed to avoid countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute, which could enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant in case of an emergency landing.

In November, the ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes during Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. Spain has since pledged to back the ICC investigation, even establishing a team to examine alleged human rights abuses in Gaza as part of its campaign to pressure Israel to end the war.

Netanyahu is expected to address the UN General Assembly on Friday and will later meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House next week.