Netanyahu to Make Lightning Visit to New York for UN General Assembly
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will conduct a lightning visit to New York to address the UN General Assembly, avoiding overnight stays and meetings with President Trump amid security and logistical constraints.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will fly this coming Wednesday for a lightning visit to the United States to address the annual UN General Assembly in New York. Netanyahu is scheduled to land in the US on Thursday morning, with his speech slated for 2:00 PM New York time (9:00 PM Israel time).
Short Visit and Logistical Shifts
In an unprecedented move, Netanyahu will stay in New York for only a few hours, will not stay overnight, and will fly back to Israel the same evening. The prime minister will not take journalists with him on the flight. Netanyahu is expected to land on the "Wing of Zion" plane at a military airfield in New Jersey or Newark Liberty International Airport rather than JFK Airport.
This adjustment stems from coordination difficulties with US authorities and concerns regarding local municipal policies. Sources familiar with the matter estimate that Netanyahu dramatically shortened his visit to avoid massive protests. He also canceled a planned stop in Texas to meet with Elon Musk, with an Israeli official citing logistical challenges and American reluctance regarding last-minute scheduling.
UN Address and Diplomatic Schedule
As previously reported, Netanyahu will not meet with US President Donald Trump during this brief trip, and no other formal meetings have been finalized in the city. However, the prime minister is expected to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. An American administration official noted that Netanyahu's presence will remain limited due to the upcoming elections in Israel.
Netanyahu's speech will focus primarily on the Iranian threat, and sources close to the prime minister indicate that surprises are expected. The address is aimed first and foremost at the Israeli public, granting him crucial prime-time screen time.
Meanwhile, the Israeli delegation at the UN is preparing for potential provocations, such as heckling or organized walkouts by representatives of various nations, similar to last year's proceedings.
