Netanyahu Makes Whirlwind UN Trip for Speech and Bilateral Meetings

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New York on Thursday for a less than 24-hour visit centered on his address to the UN General Assembly. His speech, scheduled for Thursday evening Israel time, is expected to focus on the war in Gaza, Iran, and Israel's international diplomatic efforts. The General Assembly is taking place this week, with general debates running until September 28.

In contrast to previous visits, Netanyahu's schedule is exceptionally tight. During his brief stay, he is slated to meet with the presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Panama, and Ethiopia, as well as the prime ministers of Greece, Slovenia, and Papua New Guinea, and the vice president of Colombia. Netanyahu's office stated that other leaders requested meetings, but due to the limited time and the need to return to Israel before the Sukkot holiday, only some requests could be accommodated.

A notable meeting is with the Prime Minister of Slovenia, whose government has recently adopted a more pro-Israel stance compared to its European peers. Efforts to arrange meetings with U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, did not materialize. The visit's brevity is attributed to scheduling changes, with the primary focus on the UN address and a few diplomatic encounters.

Netanyahu stated before his departure that he intended to "tell the truth" about Israel and is reportedly planning to present information regarding Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities. He is also expected to address his recent public exchanges with New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The backdrop to the visit includes a challenging international political climate, with many world leaders discussing the Gaza war and the two-state solution, while Israel faces increasing global criticism.