Netanyahu defers Azerbaijan trip, report claims Turkey banned plane from airspace - report

Earlier, the PMO said that recent developments in Syria and the Gaza Strip forced Netanyahu to postpone his visit. 

 (L-R) Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Benjamin Netanyahu seen over flags of Turkey and Israel, respectively (illustrative) (photo credit: FLASH90/CANVA, REUTERS, SHUTTERSTOCK)
(L-R) Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Benjamin Netanyahu seen over flags of Turkey and Israel, respectively (illustrative)
(photo credit: FLASH90/CANVA, REUTERS, SHUTTERSTOCK)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu postponed his trip to Azerbaijan because Turkey barred his plane from flying over its airspace, Walla reported on Saturday, citing sources in the Israeli leader's close circle. 

According to the report, Netanyahu's staff had searched for alternative routes, but these doubled the flight time.

Earlier, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that recent developments in Syria and the Gaza Strip required the Israeli leader's attention as well as a tight political-security schedule, forcing him to defer his visit. 

Netanyahu thanked the country's president, Ilham Aliyev, for his invitation and noted the strong relations between the two nations, the PMO said.

 Israel Aerospace Industries workers’ union chairman Yair Katz is seen ceremonially removing the ''experimental'' sticker on the Wings of Zion, Israel's answer to Air Force One. (credit: Courtesy Yair Katz)
Israel Aerospace Industries workers’ union chairman Yair Katz is seen ceremonially removing the ''experimental'' sticker on the Wings of Zion, Israel's answer to Air Force One. (credit: Courtesy Yair Katz)

'Claims of permission untrue'

Turkey's Foreign Ministry later issued a statement refuting that Netanyahu's plane had been authorized to fly over its airspace. 

"The claims that the plane of the prime minister of Israel was given permission to fly are absolutely untrue. We also did not receive any requests in this direction," the statement read. 

Amichai Stein contributed to this report. 

This is a developing story.