Netanyahu Arrives in New York for Brief UN Address Amid Security Concerns

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed in the United States on Thursday afternoon, Israel time, for a brief visit centered on his upcoming address at the UN General Assembly. The speech is scheduled for approximately 9:00 PM Israel time. This trip is exceptionally short, lasting only a few hours, after which Netanyahu is expected to return to Israel before the start of the Sukkot holiday.

Netanyahu's office stated that during his visit, he would meet with the presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Panama, and Ethiopia, as well as the vice president of Colombia and the prime ministers of Greece, Slovenia, and Papua New Guinea. Many leaders requested meetings, but due to the tight schedule and the need to return before Sukkot, only some could be accommodated.

Unlike previous visits that included numerous policy meetings, the current itinerary does not feature significant meetings. The Prime Minister's office explained the brevity of the visit by citing security considerations, concerns about potential harm, and the unusual involvement of the U.S. Secret Service.

The main focus of Netanyahu's UN address will be Iran, its nuclear program, and missile capabilities, areas where he is expected to reveal new information. He will also address remarks made by the Mayor of New York, Eric Adams. Earlier, Netanyahu released a video message stating his purpose was to defend Israel and its soldiers against what he called "terrible things" and "lies" being spread at the UN, promising to "fight for the truth" and hinting at "surprises."