Netanyahu Shortens US Visit
Netanyahu shortens US visit and drops Texas stop amid escalating New York protests.
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Key Points
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Netanyahu is expected to arrive Thursday morning, deliver his U.N. speech at 2 p.m. New York time, and leave the city that same evening without staying overnight or bringing journalists on the plane.
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Because of coordination difficulties and concerns about the airport arrangements, Netanyahu’s aircraft is expected to use a military airfield in New Jersey or Newark Liberty International Airport rather than John F. Kennedy International Airport.
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The shortened itinerary may affect a possible meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio; two sources had previously said such a meeting was expected, but it was unclear whether it would still occur.
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Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon accused Mamdani of “inciting” and “sowing chaos in the city,” but said the protests would not deter Netanyahu from attending and addressing the General Assembly.
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Netanyahu had reportedly considered skipping the General Assembly altogether, while Israeli media said the speech could also serve as an opportunity connected to his election campaign.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is cutting his New York visit down to a single day focused entirely on his United Nations speech. Jerusalem Post reports he will arrive Thursday morning, deliver his address at 2 p.m. Eastern time, and depart that same evening—bringing no overnight bags and no journalists. The dramatic change abandons a planned stop in Texas and reflects concerns over protests and legal tensions surrounding New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has called for Netanyahu's arrest under an International Criminal Court warrant.
Mamdani has publicly stated that "everyone should be held accountable under international law," though he acknowledges New York City lacks the legal power to enforce ICC warrants. Jewish News Syndicate reports that Israeli officials have sharply criticized Mamdani for stoking unrest. The ultra-short itinerary signals how seriously Netanyahu's team takes the security and political risks of this visit.
A Rushed Trip to Speak at the UN
Netanyahu will touch down in New Jersey early Thursday and head straight to Manhattan for his 2 p.m. speech to the 81st UN General Assembly session. Times of Israel confirmed he will not stay overnight and will fly back to Israel immediately after speaking. The decision to land in Newark or at a New Jersey military airfield—rather than at JFK—came after coordination difficulties with U.S. airport officials and concerns that city authorities might interfere with his plane.
This is one of the shortest visits by a sitting Israeli leader to the United States. Netanyahu is taking no journalists aboard his official aircraft, leaving room only for his security and staff. A possible meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio remains uncertain, and no meeting between Netanyahu and President Trump has been announced, despite both being in New York.
Mayor Mamdani Demands Arrest Under International Law
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has repeatedly called for Netanyahu to be held accountable under the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant, issued in November 2024 over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Just The News reports Mamdani stated, "Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that's what we will do." However, he has acknowledged that NYC has no legal jurisdiction to enforce ICC warrants, since the United States is not party to the ICC treaty.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon fired back, accusing Mamdani of "inciting" and "sowing chaos in the city." Jewish News Syndicate reports Danon said Netanyahu would "proudly address the General Assembly" regardless of protests. The Mamdani controversy appears to have directly shaped Netanyahu's decision to minimize his time in New York and avoid a public arrival.
Netanyahu Uses UN Platform to Attack Mayor
Netanyahu has taken the offensive, threatening to expose what he calls "the truth" about Mamdani at the UN. Jerusalem Post reports the prime minister posted a video accusing Mamdani of supporting Hamas and inciting violence against New York's Jewish community. Netanyahu signaled his speech would contain attacks on the mayor alongside remarks about Iran and Israeli soldiers.
The speech carries dual weight for Netanyahu: it is a major diplomatic moment on the world stage, but Israeli media outlets note it will air during prime time in Israel and serve campaign purposes for his domestic political standing. The combination of a global platform and a domestic audience has likely influenced his decision to make the UN address the centerpiece of this trip.
Trump Administration Sidelines Both Leaders
President Trump has scheduled a separate meeting with Mayor Mamdani but has not announced a bilateral meeting with Netanyahu during the UN summit. This marks an unusual break from routine presidential protocol when hosting Israeli leaders at the United Nations. The absence of a Trump-Netanyahu sit-down underscores how the Mamdani controversy has disrupted standard diplomatic choreography.
U.S. federal security agencies, led by the Secret Service, are treating Netanyahu's visit as a routine high-security diplomatic detail and have committed unprecedented protective measures. Washington has made clear it will not defer to Mayor Mamdani's calls to enforce the ICC warrant, viewing the visit through the lens of international protocol and protecting a UN speaker's right to address the assembly.
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