Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took an unusual route to New York on Thursday as he headed to address the United Nations General Assembly, reportedly in an effort to avoid the risk of arrest linked to an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.
Flight-tracking data showed Netanyahu’s aircraft bypassed several European countries and took a longer southern route, flying over Greece and Italy, then veering south through the Strait of Gibraltar before crossing the Atlantic Ocean to the United States.
Although France had granted permission for Israeli use of its airspace, according to a French diplomatic source quoted by AFP, the aircraft’s flight path avoided several European nations that recently recognised a Palestinian state — a move Netanyahu has strongly opposed. Britain, France, and Portugal all made the recognition this week, following similar announcements by Ireland and Spain in May.
Israeli media outlets reported that the unusual detour was likely intended to avoid flying over countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute, which underpins the ICC. Such nations could potentially enforce an arrest warrant if the plane were forced to make an emergency landing.
The ICC in November issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes during Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza. The conflict has drawn growing international criticism amid mounting civilian casualties and accusations of disproportionate force.
Tensions escalated further last week when Spain announced support for the ICC investigation and established a dedicated team to probe alleged human rights violations in Gaza. The move is part of a broader diplomatic campaign to pressure Israel to end the conflict.
Netanyahu is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Friday and will also meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House next week.
