Muhammad Aman Ullah
July 29, 2026
The True Post | World News: The Israeli government has revealed that formal permission was requested for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official aircraft to pass through Canadian airspace during his recent trip to Washington. However, it remains unclear whether Canada approved the request, as the Canadian government has declined to provide a direct answer.
Israeli Aircraft Reportedly Crossed Canadian Airspace
Netanyahu’s official aircraft, “Wing of Zion,” reportedly flew through Canadian airspace over Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia while traveling to Washington, D.C.
The Israeli prime minister visited the U.S. for meetings with President Donald Trump and to attend the funeral of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, according to Israeli officials.
ICC Arrest Warrant Remains in Effect
Netanyahu has been the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) since November 2024. The warrant relates to allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity connected to the conflict in Gaza.
Israel rejects the allegations, and the legal proceedings remain a matter of international dispute.
Canadian Government Avoids Direct Response
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office neither confirmed nor denied whether permission was granted for the Israeli aircraft to transit Canadian airspace.
Officials stated that Canada generally does not link overflight permissions to law enforcement matters unless there is an immediate security concern.
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Ministry reiterated that the country respects international law and remains committed to its obligations under the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court.
Legal Experts Raise Questions
International law expert Mark Kersten noted that a country’s airspace is considered part of its sovereign territory, meaning foreign state aircraft generally require authorization before entering it.
He said that if permission was granted, it could raise important legal and diplomatic questions regarding Canada’s obligations under international law and its commitments as an ICC member state.
Some legal observers argue that allowing free movement for leaders facing ICC arrest warrants could create a significant international precedent, while others note that overflight permissions involve complex diplomatic and aviation considerations.
Previous Flights Took Different Routes
According to reports, Netanyahu’s aircraft has previously taken routes that avoided Canadian and certain European airspace during trips to the United States.
However, reports indicate that the aircraft passed through Canadian airspace during trips in December 2025, February 2026, and again on the latest visit.
Two Possible Scenarios
Legal experts say there are two possible explanations:
- Canada quietly approved the overflight request.
- The aircraft crossed Canadian airspace without a publicly disclosed authorization, and Ottawa chose not to comment.
As of now, Canadian authorities have not publicly clarified which scenario is accurate.
The issue has sparked renewed debate over Canada’s sovereignty, international aviation procedures, and the country’s responsibilities under international law.
