Benjamin Netanyahu to visit New York for UN General Assembly

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit New York City for the United Nations General Assembly, with an address planned for September 24. Due to concerns regarding potential arrest and the possibility that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani might prevent his official aircraft, the Wing of Zion, from remaining at John F. Kennedy International Airport, the plane will not land at JFK.

Netanyahu and other Israeli officials are currently wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the conflict in Gaza. While New York City lacks the authority to enforce International Criminal Court warrants, Mayor Mamdani has expressed intentions to seek federal enforcement of such warrants.

Security measures for the visit are expected to be unprecedented. The U.S. Secret Service is anticipated to provide continuous protection from the moment of arrival until departure. Officials expect highly intense protests surrounding the Prime Minister’s scheduled activities, prompting calls for strict coordination between the NYPD, federal agencies, and the State Department to maintain public order.