Netanyahu Departs for UN General Assembly to Defend Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his delegation have departed for New York to address the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Israeli media reports indicate his plane, "Knf Tzion," will land at a military airfield in New Jersey rather than JFK Airport.

Before his departure, Netanyahu stated his intention to use the UN platform to counter what he called "terrible lies" being spread internationally against Israel and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). "I will fight against these lies. I will fight for the truth of our soldiers and our state," he declared, hinting at "surprises" in his speech.

Netanyahu also previously vowed to respond to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who again labeled the Israeli prime minister a "war criminal." Prior to leaving, Netanyahu visited the family of reservist Neria Leiter, who was seriously injured in a car ramming attack in Judea and Samaria. Neria is the son of Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Yehiel Leiter.

The Prime Minister's Office announced that Netanyahu is scheduled to speak at the UN General Assembly on September 24th at 9:00 PM Israel time. During his visit, he is also slated to hold meetings with the presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Panama, and Ethiopia, the vice president of Colombia, and the prime ministers of Greece, Slovenia, and Papua New Guinea.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, many leaders requested meetings with Netanyahu, but due to his tight schedule and the need to return to Israel before the Sukkot holiday, he could only accept a portion of the invitations. Reports suggest a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump is not planned.