Delegates leave as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Netanyahu crosses Canadian airspace with arrest warrant in effect

Sep 24, 2026 | 3:28 PM

OTTAWA — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled through Canadian airspace on Thursday, despite facing an international arrest warrant.

Online flight tracker data shows Netanyahu flew over Greece, Italy, France and Canada on his way to address the UN in New York.

Myah Tomasi, spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, says any authorization to pass through Canadian airspace should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the policies or actions of any particular government.

In this case, she says the overflight request was in connection to the United Nations General Assembly, which she called a critical forum for the diplomatic engagement.