• Netanyahu's plane avoided French airspace on his way to the UN General Assembly.
• The ICC issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
• France, despite authorizing overflight, did not deter Netanyahu from choosing a longer route.
• Recognition of Palestinian statehood by several European nations complicates Netanyahu’s diplomacy.
• The flight path avoided territories where the arrest warrant could be enforced.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent trip to the UN General Assembly involved a contentious flight route that notably avoided French airspace. Instead of flying directly over Europe, his aircraft took a southern trajectory, crossing over Greece and Italy before heading to the Atlantic, thus skirting numerous countries subject to an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to Middle East Eye, India Times, and ABC News.

This alteration in route reportedly stemmed from fears concerning arrest should Netanyahu land in a country that might enforce the ICC's warrant, which includes nations like France, Italy, and Spain, all of which are ICC members. Although French authorities gave formal permission for his aircraft to transit French airspace, the decision to avoid it appears to be a calculated move amidst political tension and recognition of Palestinian statehood by several European countries, as noted by The Jakarta Post and Le Monde.

Flight records show this is Netanyahu’s first instance of avoiding European airspace since the ICC issued arrest warrants for him and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024, citing alleged war crimes during Israeli military operations in Gaza. This unusual route extended his flight time by over two hours, reflecting the complexities of modern diplomacy where real-time flight tracking makes such journeys more public and, consequently, more politically sensitive, according to ABC News and India Times.

The political backdrop has been further complicated by several European nations, including France, announcing their recognition of Palestinian statehood, a move Netanyahu has publicly contested. The ongoing legal pressures and global political shifts influence not only his international engagements but also the strategic decisions of his government regarding travel logistics, as reported by Middle East Eye and The Jakarta Post.