Netanyahu’s USA Bound Flight Rerouted to Avoid Most European Airspace Amid Tensions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent flight to the United States took an unusual and extended route, bypassing most European airspace due to mounting diplomatic sensitivities surrounding the Gaza conflict and the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) issuance of arrest warrants.

On September 25, 2025, Netanyahu’s aircraft departed Israel and flew over Greece before threading a narrow corridor between mainland Italy and Sicily. The jet then crossed the Mediterranean without entering French airspace or most of continental Europe, continuing westward across the Atlantic.

This flight path stands in stark contrast to a previous journey on July 7, 2025, when the Prime Minister’s aircraft followed a standard transatlantic route. That earlier flight passed through Greek, Italian, and French airspace before heading toward North America, highlighting the shift in overflight permissions and political posture within a span of less than three months.

The ICC’s announcement of arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, has sparked international debate and varying responses from European governments. While some nations have expressed support for the court’s actions, others have remained cautious or noncommittal.