Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent flight to the United Nations General Assembly in New York took a unusual route, avoiding several European countries. Flight tracking showed the plane went south over Greece and Italy, then through the Strait of Gibraltar before crossing the Atlantic — a longer but safer route legally. French authorities had confirmed airspace access, but Netanyahu’s team chose to be cautious, reflecting ongoing international tensions.

The detour is connected to outstanding International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes during Israel’s Gaza military campaign. Some European countries like Spain, Ireland, and more recently Britain, France, and Portugal, have recognized Palestinian statehood or supported ICC investigations, making Netanyahu’s travel more sensitive in their airspace.

Spanish authorities, for example, recently formed a team to check alleged human rights violations in Gaza, showing how European scrutiny is increasing. Netanyahu’s alternate flight shows the practical difficulties leaders face when international legal and diplomatic pressures affect even normal travel. It also highlights how delicate Israeli diplomacy can be, with leaders having to balance recognition disputes, human rights issues, and complex geopolitics while attending global events.

Despite all these challenges, the flight reached New York safely, and Netanyahu was able to attend the UN General Assembly. Experts say such careful routes may become more common for world leaders who face legal risks abroad, showing how high-profile diplomatic travel is now influenced by evolving international laws and tensions.