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Wing of Zion

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and his wife Sara board the Wing of Zion plane on their way to Washington, July 27, 2026. (Screenshot/GPO)
July 27, 2026, 4:11 pm
Netanyahu, amid reported Iranian security threat, takes off secretively for Trump meeting
Without journalists on board, PM leaves from military base for first White House meeting in five months, as US president seeks to return to negotiations with Tehran
By Lazar Berman
A US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress aircraft from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, arrives at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar on April 9, 2016. (Staff Sgt. Corey Hook/U.S. Air Force via AP)
January 14, 2026, 4:52 pm
Some US personnel told to leave Qatar base as Iran touts ‘peak readiness’ for conflict
Official says move is ‘posture change’; Tehran signals fast trials and executions for protesters as official death toll in crackdown passes 2,500, though actual number may be much higher
By Agencies, Lazar Berman and ToI Staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to reporters before flying to the United States, at Ben Gurion Airport, July 22, 2024. (Lazar Berman/The Times of Israel)
January 6, 2026, 6:50 pm
Refusing to face tough questions, Netanyahu blackballs media to public’s detriment
PM keeps reporters off his taxpayer-funded plane, doesn’t give briefings to the traveling press and access is increasingly politicized — all ahead of a critical election
By Lazar Berman
US President Donald Trump (right) poses for a photo with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before he boards Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport, October 13, 2025, near Tel Aviv, as President Isaac Herzog (left) watches. (AP/Evan Vucci)
December 28, 2025, 1:40 pm
Netanyahu departs for US to meet Trump on Gaza plan, Hezbollah tensions
PM scheduled to meet Rubio followed by US president on Monday, will meet Evangelical leaders at hotel on Wednesday, lawmakers and Jewish leaders at Miami synagogue
By Lazar Berman
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) and his wife Sara Netanyahu disembark from Wing of Zion on arrival in Washington DC on April 6, 2025 (Avi Ohayon/GPO)
December 17, 2025, 1:41 pm
Journalists union demands Netanyahu allow press on his upcoming flight to Washington
Union emphasizes public funds paid for reporters’ designated area on official plane, urges PM’s office to reverse ban
By Nava Freiberg
Screen capture of the fight path taken by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he flew to Washington, September 25, 2025. (Screenshot via FlightRadar24)
September 25, 2025, 4:57 pm
Netanyahu’s flight to US takes extended detour, avoiding most European airspace
No official reason given for unusual route, but there’s an ICC warrant for PM’s arrest; Wing of Zion refrains from flying over France, though source claims permission given
By ToI Staff and Lazar Berman
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to media outlets ahead of boarding a plane to Washington on February 2, 2025. (Avi Ohayon/GPO)
March 27, 2025, 9:47 pm
Netanyahu flight path to US was lengthened due to concerns over ICC warrant, health
Israeli Ambassador to US Yechiel Leiter says journey to DC last month took 13.5 hours because prime minister flew over US military bases in case he required emergency landing
By Amy Spiro
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu boards the Wing of Zion plane at Ben Gurion Airport ahead of a trip to the United States, February 2, 2025. (Avi Ohayon/GPO)
February 2, 2025, 12:19 pm
Netanyahu heads to Washington to meet Trump, hoping to ‘redraw’ Middle East
Immediate issue is future of hostage-release ceasefire deal in Gaza war; PM says working closely with US president, ‘we can strengthen security, broaden the circle of peace’
By Lazar Berman, Sam Sokol and ToI Staff
The 'Wing of Zion,' the Israeli version of Air Force One, is seen above Ben Gurion Airport, on its first test flight, November 3, 2019. (Yoav Weiss/Israel Aerospace Industries)
November 17, 2024, 2:11 pm
Herzog canceled trip to climate confab because Turkey barred him from airspace — report
After Israel cites ‘security considerations,’ Azerbaijan, reportedly offended by implication Baku was unsafe, says Wing of Zion state plane was denied passage through Turkish skies
By ToI Staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and his wife Sara exit the official Wing of Zion plane in Washington, DC, on July 22, 2024. (Amos Ben Gershom / GPO)
October 30, 2024, 7:48 pm
Report: Sara Netanyahu demanded F-35 escort for PM’s plane upon return from US visit
Report alleges premier’s wife said she feared retaliatory attack on Wing of Zion after assassination of Nasrallah; PMO dismisses story as ‘fake news’
By ToI Staff
Yair Netanyahu arrives for a court hearing in Tel Aviv, on November 29, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/ Flash90/ File)
July 31, 2024, 4:56 pm
Yair Netanyahu flew to Israel on Wing of Zion, hid in PM’s section — report
Haaretz reporter says PM’s office declining to comment on whether premier’s son paid fare, went through passport control
By ToI Staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara descend from Wing of Zion in Washington, DC, July 23, 2024 (Lazar Berman/Times of Israel)
July 24, 2024, 7:58 pm
As Wing of Zion finally takes off, a less than soaring adventure for press corps
On its first official flight ferrying PM to Washington, aircraft that has come under criticism for spending woes offers novel yet oddly middling experience for reporters on board
By Lazar Berman
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his entourage, as well as families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, pose in front of the Wing of Zion official plane before departing to Washington, DC, at Ben Gurion Airport, July 22, 2024. (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)
July 22, 2024, 12:20 pm
Netanyahu departs for Washington amid turmoil in the US, disputes at home
PM says he will thank Biden for 40 years of Israel support; strikes bipartisan tone on bilateral ties; some hostage families join trip, others wanted him to do a deal before flying
By Lazar Berman, ToI Staff and Agencies
President Joe Biden is greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after arriving at Ben Gurion International Airport, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, in Tel Aviv. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
July 22, 2024, 1:39 am
Finally headed to Washington, Netanyahu is flying into a political tempest
With Biden dropping his reelection bid and Trump riding high after being shot, the PM has to walk a fine line in the US even as threats from the Iranian axis grow
By Lazar Berman
The 'Wing of Zion,' the Israeli version of Air Force One, is seen above Ben Gurion Airport, on its first test flight, November 3, 2019. (Yoav Weiss/Israel Aerospace Industries)
July 16, 2024, 6:51 pm
State plane makes inaugural flight to US for PM’s visit; will have to come back for him
Wing of Zion carries equipment and some of Netanyahu’s security delegation; it’ll fly out again next week with PM on board; is too small to have done it all in one go
By Lazar Berman
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