Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will shorten his visit to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly, amid concerns that Mayor Zohran Mamdani could take measures against him while he is in the city, as well as fears of anti-Netanyahu protests.
According to the report, Netanyahu will arrive in the United States on Thursday morning and is scheduled to deliver his UN address at 2:00 p.m. New York time. He will not stay overnight in the city as he has traditionally done, and journalists will not accompany him aboard the “Wing of Zion” aircraft.
The newspaper said the plane is expected to land at a military airport in New Jersey or at Newark Airport rather than John F. Kennedy International Airport, citing difficulties coordinating with US authorities and concerns over keeping the aircraft at the airport during the visit.
Yedioth Ahronoth also reported that Netanyahu canceled a planned stop in Texas to meet businessman Elon Musk. No meeting with US President Donald Trump has been arranged so far, while efforts are underway to organize a limited number of meetings with officials and foreign leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
According to the newspaper, Netanyahu’s speech will focus primarily on the Iranian threat, while people close to him said the address could include “surprises.” Israel’s UN delegation is also preparing for possible protests or a walkout during the speech, similar to what occurred during Netanyahu’s address to the General Assembly last year.
Earlier reports by Yedioth Ahronoth said Israeli security authorities had decided not to land the “Wing of Zion” at John F. Kennedy International Airport during Netanyahu’s visit, citing concerns over protests and arrangements related to keeping the aircraft on the ground throughout the visit.
