Benjamin Netanyahu has been forced to delay his visit to Britain as a number of Israeli pilots have refused to fly him, the Telegraph understands. 

The Israeli government has been unable to find a pilot to take him to London in the wake of mass protests over Mr Netanyahu's hugely controversial plans to overhaul the Israeli legal system.

The prime minister is reportedly set to make a statement later on Thursday about the reforms. He has summoned his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, amid reports Mr Gallant will call for the government's judicial overhaul to be paused.

The domestic crisis could potentially lead to Mr Netanyahu cancelling his UK visit altogether if he feels compelled to stay in Israel and keep his coalition government together. 

A UK Government source said: "It is understood that Israeli pilots have been refusing to take Mr Netanyahu to the UK."

Read more: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/03/23/benjamin-netanyahu-uk-trip-threat-pilots-judicial-reform/

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