Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, took an unusually indirect flight from Israel to the United States, apparently to avoid countries that could enforce an outstanding International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes.
Netanyahu departed Tel Aviv on Wednesday evening to address the UN General Assembly and hold talks with President Donald Trump.
Instead of taking the typical route over several European countries, his plane flew the length of the Mediterranean and over the Strait of Gibraltar, according to flight tracking websites.
The flight briefly passed over Greece and Italy, according to FlightRadar24, but deliberately avoided French and Spanish airspace, extending the journey time.
The Prime Minister’s Office has not publicly explained the reason for the unusual route, and CNN has sought comment.
Two weeks ago, the PMO announced that some journalists and members of Netanyahu’s entourage would not travel with him due to “technical arrangements related to seating and security.” The Jerusalem Post reported this was a way to offset the extra fuel needed.
A French diplomatic source said France had approved Israel’s request to fly over French airspace.
“Eventually they decided to take another route and we don’t know the reason,” the diplomat said.
Netanyahu’s previous trip to the U.S. in July followed a route over Greece, Italy, and France, according to ADS-B Exchange, another flight tracking website.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu last November over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Overflying European ICC member states could have forced him to land and face arrest.
Neither Israel nor the United States are ICC members.
