The ICC closes in on Netanyahu — his plane to New York takes unusual routes

25th September 2025

2 minutes read

The ICC closes in on Netanyahu — his plane to New York takes unusual routes

Following the International Criminal Court’s decision, every aerial movement by Benjamin Netanyahu has become the subject of precise calculations and advance planning.

On Thursday, the Israeli prime minister was forced to alter his plane’s route to New York to avoid the possibility of arrest after the ICC issued an arrest warrant against him.

Netanyahu’s aircraft normally flew over Europe en route to the United States. The arrest warrant compelled a reassessment of the consequences of flying through certain countries’ airspace.

According to Israeli public broadcaster reports, the prime minister’s plane — the “Wing of Zion” — flew to the United States “in an unusual manner, taking the southernmost possible route with minimal overflight of European airspace on Netanyahu’s way to the UN General Assembly — for fear of being apprehended.”

The report added that the Israeli plane crossed only Greek and Italian airspace and was then heading out to the Atlantic Ocean via the Strait of Gibraltar.

On an earlier trip to the United States in early July this year, Netanyahu’s plane had passed over France. The French government faced criticism for allowing the plane to transit without interception or detention. Relations between Israel and France have soured in recent weeks after Paris recognized the State of Palestine.

Speech expected on Friday

Netanyahu left early this morning for New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, where he is scheduled to speak tomorrow, Friday. He will later travel to Washington to meet the U.S. president at the White House on Monday.

Speaking to reporters before departing from Ben Gurion Airport, he said: “I will denounce leaders who, instead of condemning the killers and rapists and those who burn children, want to give them a state in the heart of the land of Israel. That will not happen.”

He added: “In Washington I will meet President Trump for the fourth time, and we will discuss the necessity of completing the goals of the war: returning all the hostages, destroying Hamas and expanding the circle of peace.”

In 2024, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and for his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant.