Holiday Ayo - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deliberately took a much longer flight than expected on his way to the UN General Assembly in New York.

As reported by AFP and Al Arabiya on Friday (September 26), the plane carrying Netanyahu apparently avoided several European countries during his flight to avoid the risk of arrest under an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Although a French diplomatic source who spoke to AFP said that Paris authorities permitted Israel to use its airspace, flight tracking data showed the plane carrying Netanyahu instead took a southern route.

According to flight tracking data on Thursday (September 25), Netanyahu's plane flew over Greece and Italy, then turned south across the Strait of Gibraltar before continuing its flight out into the Atlantic.

France, along with the United Kingdom and Portugal, is among several countries that this week officially recognized the state of Palestine. Such a move is strongly opposed by Netanyahu.

Ireland and Spain had already announced their recognition of the state of Palestine last May.

Meanwhile, local Israeli media reports said Netanyahu's plane's diversion was intended to avoid countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute, which can execute arrest warrants issued by the ICC in the event of an emergency landing.

The ICC issued arrest warrants in November last year for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes committed during Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Last week, Spain announced it would support the ICC investigation and provide assistance by establishing a special team to investigate alleged human rights violations in the Gaza Strip. Madrid called this part of a broader effort to pressure Israel to end the Gaza war.

Netanyahu is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Friday (September 26th US time). He will also meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House next week.