Netanyahu Considers US Trip Including UN Speech, Potential Texas Stop

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office is finalizing plans for his upcoming visit to the United States, which includes participation in the UN General Assembly in New York. A meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump is being considered, though no official confirmation has been made, with Trump responding "maybe" when asked about it. Some Israeli reports suggest the meeting with Trump is unlikely, and that Netanyahu might instead meet with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The Prime Minister's office stated that the schedule is not yet final, citing the busy diplomatic week in New York as a key challenge for coordination.

The 81st UN General Assembly general debate begins Tuesday, September 22, with Trump expected to be a prominent speaker. Trump is also scheduled to meet with leaders from six Gulf states to discuss the conflict with Iran. Netanyahu is slated to arrive later in the week, with his address to the assembly scheduled for Thursday, September 24, around 2 PM New York time (9 PM Israel time). The visit is expected to be relatively short due to the upcoming Sukkot holiday.

In addition to the New York agenda, Netanyahu's office is exploring an "unexpected" stop in Texas. A preliminary team is reportedly in the state assessing logistical aspects of a potential visit. The purpose of this Texas stop remains officially undisclosed, but one possibility being discussed is a meeting with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, whom Netanyahu has met on previous U.S. trips. The public report of the advance team in Texas indicates the objective of the potential visit is still unknown.

If the Texas visit materializes, it could affect Netanyahu's travel itinerary, potentially involving an initial stop in Texas or another U.S. location before proceeding to New York. One scenario suggests Netanyahu might not stay overnight in New York, arriving just before his UN address. The trip is set against a backdrop of a packed diplomatic schedule in New York, with numerous world leaders attending. Key discussion topics are expected to include the conflict with Iran, the Middle East situation, the war in Ukraine, and the Israeli-Palestinian issue.