Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing for an unusually brief visit to the United States this week, centered around his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Netanyahu is expected to depart Israel on Wednesday and arrive in the United States on Thursday morning. He is scheduled to address the General Assembly at 2:00 p.m. New York time and is expected to depart for Israel later that evening.
According to a Ynet report, the Wing of Zion aircraft is expected to land either at a military airfield in New Jersey or at Newark Liberty International Airport rather than JFK. The report cited coordination difficulties with U.S. authorities as well as concerns surrounding New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
A meeting between Netanyahu and President Donald Trump is not currently expected during the short visit. Netanyahu is, however, expected to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while efforts are underway to arrange additional meetings with foreign leaders who will be in New York for the UN gathering.
Netanyahu also canceled a planned stop in Texas that was expected to include a meeting with Elon Musk. An Israeli official said there were difficulties coordinating the stop, including the need for a refueling stop and challenges surrounding last-minute arrangements.
The centerpiece of the visit will be Netanyahu’s address to the UN General Assembly, which is expected to focus heavily on the Iranian threat. Officials close to the prime minister said that “surprises are expected” during the speech, without providing further details.
Israel’s UN delegation is also preparing for the possibility of interruptions and an organized walkout by representatives of some countries during Netanyahu’s address, similar to scenes that occurred during his speech last year.
(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)