Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning a short visit to New York later this month to deliver a speech at the United Nations General Assembly. Despite facing both political and legal challenges, Netanyahu’s presence at the UN is deemed significant by Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon. The prime minister is slated to arrive on September 23 and address the General Assembly on September 24, before returning to Israel the same night.
The visit is expected to stir tensions, particularly with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has previously labeled Netanyahu a war criminal. Mamdani had even expressed intentions to pursue the Israeli leader’s arrest if he set foot in the city, although he later conceded that New York authorities lack the jurisdiction to enforce an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for both Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024, accusing them of crimes against humanity related to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. However, these allegations have been dismissed by Israel. Netanyahu’s appearance at the UN is anticipated to trigger protests, similar to last year when numerous delegates walked out of the General Assembly during his speech.
Despite expected demonstrations, Israeli officials assert that Netanyahu will proceed with his address, underscoring the importance of his participation. The UN gathering, scheduled from September 22 to 28, occurs alongside Jewish holidays and Israel’s election period, adding layers of complexity to Netanyahu’s brief but significant diplomatic engagement in New York.