Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New York on Thursday, September 24, 2026, for a visit to address the United Nations General Assembly. Despite efforts by his aides to arrange a meeting, Netanyahu is not scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump during the trip. The Prime Minister's Office stated that Netanyahu is on a tight schedule and plans to return to Israel before the start of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, which begins at sundown on Friday.
The visit was shortened from earlier plans, which included a stop in Texas to meet with Elon Musk and visit SpaceX facilities. Netanyahu canceled the Texas leg of the trip, which officials described as logistically complex due to refueling requirements for the "Wing of Zion" aircraft. The itinerary may result in Netanyahu departing the United States on the same day he arrived without spending a night in the country.
Netanyahu is scheduled to deliver his address at 2 p.m. local time on Thursday. During his speech, he is expected to address accusations of genocide in Gaza, which he has characterized as "the biggest lie of the century." While a meeting with Trump is not planned, Netanyahu is slated to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as well as leaders from Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Panama, Ethiopia, Greece, Slovenia, and Papua New Guinea.
The visit occurs during a period of diplomatic activity while Netanyahu seeks reelection at home. The absence of a meeting between Netanyahu and Trump follows reports of cooling relations. Additionally, approximately 130 heads of state are attending the General Assembly.
For the Israeli public, the trip's brevity means the Prime Minister will be present for the Sukkot holiday. In New York, thousands of police officers and Secret Service agents have been deployed for security. The visit also occurs amid statements regarding the Prime Minister’s presence by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
While no specific threats were reported by security officials, the Israeli delegation expects protests both inside and outside the UN compound. Following his speech, Netanyahu is scheduled to depart for Israel on Thursday evening, with the Sukkot holiday beginning at sundown on Friday, September 25, 2026.