Netanyahu took a longer flight to UN summit, avoiding France and Spain amid ICC warrant concerns.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flew to New York for the UN General Assembly on September 25, 2025, via an unusual route, avoiding French and Spanish airspace and instead passing over Greece and Italy. The detour, which extended the flight, is believed to stem from concerns over an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued in November 2024 for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Though France, Italy, and Greece are ICC members and obligated to enforce such warrants, they have previously allowed Netanyahu’s flights, citing diplomatic immunity. The route change follows recent European recognition of Palestinian statehood and heightened diplomatic tensions. Netanyahu is set to speak at the UN and meet with Trump, while the U.S. and Israel are not ICC members, complicating enforcement. The Israeli government has not officially explained the flight path.