Netanyahu avoids some European air space in flights to UNsembly Unit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took an extraordinary flight path circle to New York on Thursday, through several European countries when he traveled to attend the UN General Assembly.

Although France gave permission for Israeli aircraft to pass through airspace, Netanyahu aircraft mapped a distant route to the south, according to flight tracking data. France’s diplomatic sources confirmed to reporters that France had endorsed access, but the prime minister’s flight actually crossed through Greece and Italy before heading south through the Gibraltar Strait and then crossed the Atlantic Ocean.

The detour coincides with the increasing political and legal tensions between Israel and several European countries. This week, Britain, France, and Portugal joined the continuous list of countries that officially recognize the Palestinian state – the steps that Netanyahu was opposed. Ireland and Spain have declared their recognition in May.

Behind the amended flight path, the Israeli media reported that the decision was likely to be encouraged by concerns over exposure to international law. The countries avoided were the signing of the Roman law, an agreement that established an International Criminal Court (ICC). In terms of emergency landing, these countries can theoretically uphold the arrest warrant issued by the ICC.

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In November, ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes committed during Israeli military operations in Gaza.

Spain, in particular, has taken a strong attitude. Only last week, the Spanish government announced support for the ICC investigation and launched a special unit to examine the possibility of human rights violations in Gaza. This effort is part of a broader diplomatic campaign to suppress Israel to end the conflict.

Netanyahu was arranged to handle the UN General Assembly on Friday. He is also expected to meet with US President Donald Trump in the White House next week.