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Netanyahu's plane takes unusual route to UN summit

Although France had authorised Israeli use of its airspace, according to a French diplomatic source who spoke to AFP, flight-tracking data showed Netanyahu's aircraft instead took a southern path.

Agencies
United Nations, United States
Fri, September 26, 2025 Published on Sep. 26, 2025 Published on 2025-09-26T17:14:45+07:00

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement during the US Independence Day reception, known as the annual “Fourth of July“ celebration, hosted by Newsmax in Jerusalem on Aug. 13, 2025. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement during the US Independence Day reception, known as the annual “Fourth of July“ celebration, hosted by Newsmax in Jerusalem on Aug. 13, 2025. (AFP/Ronen Zvulun)

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sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plane took an unusual route to New York on Thursday, skirting several European countries en route to the United Nations General Assembly.

Although France had authorised Israeli use of its airspace, according to a French diplomatic source who spoke to AFP, flight-tracking data showed Netanyahu's aircraft instead took a southern path.

It crossed Greece and Italy, then veered south through the Strait of Gibraltar before heading across the Atlantic.

Britain, France and Portugal were among a string of countries to recognise a Palestinian state this week, a move Netanyahu bitterly opposes. Ireland and Spain announced their recognition in May.

Israeli media, meanwhile, reported that the detour by Netanyahu's plane was intended to avoid countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute, which could enforce an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in case of an emergency landing.

The ICC in November issued warrants for Netanyahu and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant, over alleged war crimes committed during Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.

Spain last week announced it would support the ICC investigation and had set up a team to probe alleged human rights violations in Gaza, as part of its broader push to pressure Israel to end the war.

Netanyahu is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Friday. He is also slated to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House next week.

On Thursday, Slovenia imposed a travel ban on Netanyahu, according to a government statement, after last year officially recognising Palestine and in July banning two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers.

"With this action Slovenia confirms its commitment to international law, the universal values of human rights and a principled and consistent foreign policy," Neva Grasic, the Secretary of State at the Foreign Ministry, said according to the government's X account.

EU member Slovenia imposed an arms embargo on Israel in August and introduced a ban on imports of goods produced in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

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