Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to make a brief visit to New York this month to deliver a speech at the United Nations General Assembly. Despite the political and legal challenges surrounding his appearance, Netanyahu plans to arrive in New York on September 23. He is scheduled to address the assembly on September 24 and will return to Israel the same evening, according to Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, who emphasized the importance of the prime minister’s participation in the event.
The visit takes place amid tensions with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has previously labeled Netanyahu a war criminal and expressed intentions to pursue his arrest if he visits the city. However, Mamdani acknowledged that city authorities lack the jurisdiction to enforce an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. The ICC warrant, issued in November 2024, targets both Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged crimes against humanity related to military operations in Gaza, accusations that Israel has firmly denied.
Netanyahu’s planned appearance at the UN is also expected to trigger protests. Last year, his speech at the General Assembly led to a significant walkout by delegates, and similar demonstrations are anticipated this year. Despite the expected opposition, Israeli officials confirm that Netanyahu is committed to delivering his address.
The annual United Nations gathering, which runs from September 22 to 28, coincides with Jewish holidays and Israel’s election period, adding an additional layer of complexity to the prime minister’s visit. With these overlapping events, Netanyahu’s brief stay in New York underscores the delicate balance he must maintain between international diplomacy and domestic political considerations.