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Israel’s ‘Wing of Zion’ Departs for Athens Amid Fears of Iranian Retaliation

  • Writer: 17GEN4
    17GEN4
  • Jun 13
  • 2 min read


June 13, 2025, 12:45 PM IDT


TEL AVIV – Israel’s state aircraft, the Wing of Zion, took off from Ben-Gurion Airport on Friday morning, heading for Athens, Greece, as tensions with Iran escalated following Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The departure, reported by Hebrew-language media, comes amid heightened concerns of an imminent Iranian retaliatory attack, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirming that Iran launched over 100 attack drones toward Israeli territory.


The Wing of Zion, Israel’s equivalent of Air Force One, is the official transport for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog during international trips. Sources indicate the plane was relocated to Athens as a precautionary measure to protect it from potential Iranian strikes, a move echoed during Iran’s April 2024 attack when the aircraft was similarly flown out of Nevatim Airbase in the Negev. The decision to transfer the plane coincides with the closure of Israeli airspace and the suspension of operations at Ben-Gurion Airport, with empty passenger planes also redirected to airports in Cyprus and Greece.


The departure occurred shortly before IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin addressed a press conference, announcing Iran’s drone offensive. While the IDF reported intercepting a significant number of drones, military officials cautioned that additional launches could follow, prompting a state of emergency nationwide. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz warned of a potential large-scale Iranian response, with hospitals across Israel shifting critical operations to fortified underground facilities and canceling non-essential procedures.


According to sources cited by CNN Greece, the Wing of Zion carried Israel’s ambassador to Greece, Noam Katz, as its sole passenger, with commercial air traffic to and from Tel Aviv halted. The Greece-Israel Military Cooperation Agreement facilitated the plane’s relocation, allowing Israeli aircraft to remain at Greek military airports during emergencies.


The Israeli strikes, part of what has been dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, including the Natanz facility, and resulted in the deaths of several senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists, according to Iranian state media. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed a “decisive” response, while Iranian media reported ballistic missile launches targeting Israel.


Prime Minister Netanyahu, addressing the nation, called the strikes a “successful” preemptive operation, emphasizing Israel’s resolve to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. “Our children will not live in fear of an Iranian nuclear bomb,” he declared, urging citizens to remain vigilant and follow Home Front Command instructions.


The international community has reacted with alarm, with the United Nations Security Council scheduling an emergency meeting at Tehran’s request. U.S. President Donald Trump, who reportedly spoke with Netanyahu on Friday, expressed hope for a diplomatic resolution but affirmed U.S. support for Israel’s defensive measures.


As Israel braces for further escalation, the relocation of the Wing of Zion underscores the gravity of the situation. The IDF remains on high alert, with air defenses activated across the country and the public urged to stay near protected spaces.




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