Here’s a jaw-dropping revelation: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again traversed Canadian airspace en route to Washington, despite Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney previously vowing to honor an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Netanyahu. But here’s where it gets controversial—this isn’t the first time Netanyahu’s plane has flown through Canadian territory in recent months, raising questions about Canada’s commitment to international justice. Let’s break it down.
Netanyahu, who faces ICC charges for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, has seemingly become less cautious about his travel routes. When asked last October whether Netanyahu would be arrested if he entered Canada, Carney firmly replied, 'Yes,'—not once, but twice. Yet, online flight trackers reveal that Netanyahu’s official aircraft, the Wing of Zion, has now crossed Canadian airspace twice in two months. The first instance occurred on December 29, when the plane flew over Newfoundland and Nova Scotia before landing in Florida for a meeting with then-U.S. President Donald Trump. When CBC News sought an explanation, Global Affairs Canada declined to comment, citing security reasons and the inability to disclose details about foreign flight routes.
And this is the part most people miss—Canadian protocol explicitly requires foreign government flights to request permission at least 72 hours before entering its airspace. CBC News inquired whether Israel sought such clearance for Netanyahu’s latest flight, but no response was provided by publication time. On Tuesday, the plane crossed three Canadian provinces—Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick—before entering U.S. airspace in Maine. This direct route, known as a Great Circle path, minimizes travel distance but amplifies the diplomatic tension.
Netanyahu’s travel patterns have shifted dramatically since Trump’s second inauguration. Initially, in September 2025, his flight to the U.S. took a circuitous route over the Mediterranean, avoiding much of Europe to reduce arrest risks. However, he has since flown more directly over the continent, crossing countries like France, Italy, and Greece—all signatories to the Rome Statute, which established the ICC. Notably, only France has publicly confirmed granting permission for these flights. Spain and Slovenia, staunch critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza, have explicitly stated they would enforce ICC warrants, with Slovenia even banning Netanyahu from its territory after one of his flights.
Here’s the burning question: Why hasn’t Canada taken action, especially after Carney’s bold statements? Is this a matter of diplomatic convenience, or is there a deeper geopolitical calculation at play? As Netanyahu continues to fly through territories of ICC-supporting nations, the tension between international law and political pragmatism grows sharper. What do you think? Should Canada enforce the ICC warrant, or is there room for exceptions in the name of diplomacy? Let’s discuss in the comments—your perspective matters!
