Israel Prepares for Netanyahu's UN Speech Amid Boycotts and Protests
Israel is bracing for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address at the UN General Assembly in New York on September 24th, anticipating significant protests against Israel during his visit. Concerns also exist regarding potential provocations during his speech, such as mass walkouts by delegations, loud booing, and the display of Palestinian flags or signs, despite such actions being prohibited during leaders' addresses. A total of 77 countries are reportedly boycotting the speech.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has called for protests against Netanyahu, and a large demonstration is planned outside the UN building during the speech. The city's police department is preparing for a significant security presence, expecting protests outside Netanyahu's hotel. Concurrently, the Jewish community is organizing pro-Netanyahu rallies.
Netanyahu is scheduled to arrive in New York on September 23rd, with his speech set for the following evening between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM Israel time. His visit will be relatively short, and it remains uncertain if he will hold any meetings. He is expected to depart by Thursday night to return to Israel before the start of the Sukkot holiday.
The visit occurs at a time of significant diplomatic isolation for Israel, with the Prime Minister facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, limiting his travel primarily to the United States. Despite these challenges, the visit holds importance for Netanyahu's domestic political campaign, offering him a global platform. However, it also highlights his diminished standing, as few leaders are expected to seek meetings with him due to his short stay and the holiday schedule.
Attempts by the Israeli delegation to schedule the speech for earlier in the day in New York were unsuccessful, with the UN secretariat allocating the afternoon slot, which falls after prime time in Israel. This timing prevents Netanyahu from aligning his address with evening news broadcasts. His previous UN speech in September 2025 was also marked by boos and a mass walkout by ambassadors before it began.
