Israeli media reported that Türkiye allegedly closed its airspace to prevent Israeli President Isaac Herzog from attending the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan. As a result of this incident, Herzog had to return to his country.
According to a report by the Israeli-based news outlet Yedioth Ahronoth, Türkiye obstructed President Herzog’s participation in the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan.
The claim states that Türkiye was supposed to allow the presidential plane, “Wings of Zion,” to carry Herzog, but announced that it had closed its airspace, blocking Herzog’s flight route.
Ahronoth mentioned that Azerbaijani officials confirmed the allegation.
In a statement from the Israeli Presidential Office on Saturday night, it was announced that “in light of the situation assessment and for security reasons, the President decided to cancel his visit to the climate conference in Azerbaijan.” Israeli officials indicated that this decision was based on security alerts.
According to Ahronoth, Azerbaijani officials disputed the Israeli statement that the decision was made for “security reasons.” Following the incident, a senior official from the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the Azerbaijan-based Caliber News website that the reason for Herzog’s cancellation was not related to security, but rather due to Turkey not allowing the plane carrying Herzog to use its airspace.
The Ministry of Interior has not made any statements regarding the allegations.