Move FM Global News

JERUSALEM – The plane carrying Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to the U.S. this week will fly a different route, avoiding air space over countries that are members of the International Criminal Court.

Mr Netanyahu has had an arrest warrant issued for him by the ICC for crimes against humanity and war crimes. He is charged, along with former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant with “the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.”

His plane Wing of Zion, which will fly him  to New York City will take a longer flight path that usual. This will mean more fuel will be required, and to avoid having to fly over ICC-affiliated countries, the plane will carry less passengers. A number of journalists and members of Mr Netanyahu’s delegation have been off ramped to reduce the amount of fuel required.

“Due to technical arrangements related to seating and security, it has been decided to limit the number of passengers on the upcoming Wing of Zion flight, including journalists and members of the prime minister’s entourage,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement.

Wing of Zion, Mr Netanyahu’s official plane, a Boeing 67-300ER VIP aircraft (4X-ISR) was brought into service last year. On his trip to the U.S, the Israeli prime minister will meet U.S. President Donald Trump, who is also commissioning a new official plane, donated to him by Qatar, which Israel bombed last week, a matter that will head the discussions points between the two.

On Saturday, the PM participated in the cornerstone-laying ceremony for the proposed Donald Trump promenade in Bat Yam, together with U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, and Bat Yam Mayor Tzvi Brot.

On Sunday Mr Netanyahu spent the day hosting  U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on a visit to Israel.