Israeli president reportedly cancelled Cop29 trip because Turkey denied airspace

Israeli President Isaac Herzog reportedly cancelled a planned visit to the UN's Cop29 climate conference in Azerbaijan because Turkey refused to allow Israel’s state airline, Wing of Zion, to fly though its airspace.

Herzog’s office said on Saturday that his planned visit to Baku was cancelled due to "security considerations".

According to a report on Israel's Ynet news, officials in Azerbaijan denied the suggestion that their country was not safe for Herzog to visit, and said the actual reason was Turkey’s refusal.

An Azerbaijani official told Ynet that Israel and Turkey had taken part in "intensive negotiations through diplomatic channels that lasted for several days but did not yield results".

Azerbaijan, an ally of Israel, has frequently hosted Israeli delegations, including for Herzog. An Israeli delegation, including three ministers and several officials, are currently in Baku for Cop29.