Protests and Walkouts Raise Israeli Fears Over Netanyahu UN Speech
Israel is preparing for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to New York to deliver his address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, amid concerns over mass demonstrations and protests inside the organization’s headquarters, including delegations walking out, booing, and raising Palestinian flags or banners.اضافة اعلان
Expected Protests
According to the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel is approaching the visit with concerns that the scenes surrounding Netanyahu’s previous address to the General Assembly in September 2025 could be repeated. He was met with boos and a mass walkout by ambassadors before he began speaking, while the New York Police Department is preparing for expected protests around the United Nations headquarters and the hotel where he will stay.
Netanyahu is scheduled to arrive in New York on September 23 and deliver his speech the following day, amid concerns that provocations could occur during the address, despite a ban on such displays during leaders’ speeches before the General Assembly.
Israeli Concerns Over Possible Scenarios
Among the scenarios worrying Israel are a mass walkout by delegations, loud booing, and the raising of Palestinian flags or banners inside the hall. U.S. authorities are also preparing to deal with protests outside the UN headquarters as the prime minister delivers his address.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has called for protests against Netanyahu, while a mass demonstration has already been planned outside the United Nations headquarters as he delivers his speech.
The New York Police Department is preparing to deploy large numbers of officers ahead of the visit. U.S. authorities also expect protests outside the hotel where Netanyahu will stay, leaving the visit surrounded by both anti- and pro-Netanyahu demonstrations.
Short Visit
According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Netanyahu’s visit to New York will be relatively short, coming amid an unprecedented diplomatic deterioration for Israel. Netanyahu is also facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague and is effectively permitted to visit only the United States.
Nevertheless, the visit is highly significant for Netanyahu because it comes during an election campaign, providing him with extensive media coverage and an opportunity to demonstrate his leadership capabilities on the international stage before a domestic and international audience.
However, the brevity of the visit will limit his ability to hold meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly, at a time when foreign leaders are not rushing to meet with him. His need to return quickly to Israel ahead of the holiday will further reduce the time available for meetings.
Speech Under Pressure
The Israeli delegation sought to move Netanyahu’s speech to the morning hours in New York, but the UN Secretariat allocated only an afternoon slot for him. The timing comes after peak viewing hours in Israel, preventing Netanyahu from securing his preferred schedule.
Netanyahu had wanted his speech to coincide with Israel’s evening news broadcasts at 8 p.m. However, that timing was no longer available after the UN Secretariat assigned him an afternoon slot.
The arrangement also recalls his previous address to the General Assembly in September 2025, when he was met with boos and a mass walkout by ambassadors before he began speaking, in scenes that drew widespread attention both inside and outside Israel.
At the time, 77 countries and delegations boycotted Netanyahu’s speech, while some countries and delegations chose not to attend from the outset. His address thus became an occasion marked by a mass boycott and walkout before he even began speaking before the General Assembly.
Expected Protests
According to the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel is approaching the visit with concerns that the scenes surrounding Netanyahu’s previous address to the General Assembly in September 2025 could be repeated. He was met with boos and a mass walkout by ambassadors before he began speaking, while the New York Police Department is preparing for expected protests around the United Nations headquarters and the hotel where he will stay.
Netanyahu is scheduled to arrive in New York on September 23 and deliver his speech the following day, amid concerns that provocations could occur during the address, despite a ban on such displays during leaders’ speeches before the General Assembly.
Israeli Concerns Over Possible Scenarios
Among the scenarios worrying Israel are a mass walkout by delegations, loud booing, and the raising of Palestinian flags or banners inside the hall. U.S. authorities are also preparing to deal with protests outside the UN headquarters as the prime minister delivers his address.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has called for protests against Netanyahu, while a mass demonstration has already been planned outside the United Nations headquarters as he delivers his speech.
The New York Police Department is preparing to deploy large numbers of officers ahead of the visit. U.S. authorities also expect protests outside the hotel where Netanyahu will stay, leaving the visit surrounded by both anti- and pro-Netanyahu demonstrations.
Short Visit
According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Netanyahu’s visit to New York will be relatively short, coming amid an unprecedented diplomatic deterioration for Israel. Netanyahu is also facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague and is effectively permitted to visit only the United States.
Nevertheless, the visit is highly significant for Netanyahu because it comes during an election campaign, providing him with extensive media coverage and an opportunity to demonstrate his leadership capabilities on the international stage before a domestic and international audience.
However, the brevity of the visit will limit his ability to hold meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly, at a time when foreign leaders are not rushing to meet with him. His need to return quickly to Israel ahead of the holiday will further reduce the time available for meetings.
Speech Under Pressure
The Israeli delegation sought to move Netanyahu’s speech to the morning hours in New York, but the UN Secretariat allocated only an afternoon slot for him. The timing comes after peak viewing hours in Israel, preventing Netanyahu from securing his preferred schedule.
Netanyahu had wanted his speech to coincide with Israel’s evening news broadcasts at 8 p.m. However, that timing was no longer available after the UN Secretariat assigned him an afternoon slot.
The arrangement also recalls his previous address to the General Assembly in September 2025, when he was met with boos and a mass walkout by ambassadors before he began speaking, in scenes that drew widespread attention both inside and outside Israel.
At the time, 77 countries and delegations boycotted Netanyahu’s speech, while some countries and delegations chose not to attend from the outset. His address thus became an occasion marked by a mass boycott and walkout before he even began speaking before the General Assembly.
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