Netanyahu Addresses UN General Assembly, Skips Meeting with Trump

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New York on Thursday, hours before his scheduled address at the UN General Assembly. Despite coordination efforts, Netanyahu is not expected to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump or other senior administration officials during his visit. In his speech, Netanyahu is anticipated to focus on Iran and the issue of terrorism targeting Israelis and Jews.

Earlier in the day, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the General Assembly. His speech, pre-recorded and played in the hall after the U.S. denied him and his delegation entry visas, warned that "Israel's actions are destroying the two-state solution." Abbas accused Israel of policies in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem aimed at making Palestinian lives difficult and forcing their expulsion.

President Trump had spoken at the General Assembly two days prior, stating that Iran, which "celebrated 7.10," would never obtain nuclear weapons. He also asserted that he would reach a deal with Iran after the midterm elections or be forced to "destroy it completely." Trump recalled offering Iran economic cooperation in exchange for abandoning its nuclear program and support for terrorism, an offer he claims Tehran rejected. He also referenced an operation he called "Midnight Hammer," where U.S. forces "crushed Iranian nuclear facilities under mountains of rubble."

Trump also commented on the Russia-Ukraine war, expressing his belief that it could be ended "very soon."