Netanyahu’s UN speech: 5 things to watch as Israeli PM speaks in Gaza, Iran and Mamdani | Today’s news
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to use his speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday (24 September) to defend Israel’s military actions, confront critics of the Gaza war and warn against Iran, while taking aim at New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The speech comes at a politically sensitive time for Netanyahu, with Israel’s general election scheduled for Oct. 27 and his government facing criticism over the Gaza war and Israel’s international standing. Reuters, citing former Israeli ambassador Michael Oren, said the speech could resemble a campaign speech, aimed in part at Israeli voters rather than just the United Nations.
What will Netanyahu say at the UN?
Netanyahu has already indicated that he intends to use the UN platform to defend Israel and its soldiers.
In a video statement ahead of his trip, Netanyahu said he was going to New York to “tell the truth about our heroic soldiers” and “tell the truth about you,” addressing Mamdani directly. Netanyahu has denied charges of war crimes and genocide leveled against his government.
His speech is also expected to focus heavily on Iran and the consequences of the conflict with Tehran. Israeli reports said Netanyahu was expected to discuss Iran, anti-Semitism and the demand that Hamas disarm, while also mentioning Mamdani.
Why is Netanyahu taking on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani?
The Netanyahu-Mamdani dispute has become one of the most visible political confrontations surrounding the Israeli prime minister’s visit.
Mamdani campaigned on a promise to continue arresting Netanyahu for alleged war crimes if the Israeli leader visits New York. He later stated that he decided that, as mayor, he did not have the legal authority to make such an arrest.
Mamdani has continued to criticize Netanyahu, recently calling him “the architect of the horrific genocide against the Palestinians.” Netanyahu, in turn, accused Mamdani of supporting Hamas – which Mamdani denies.
Netanyahu has now promised to speak to Mamdani directly from the UN podium.
Why won’t Netanyahu meet Trump in New York?
One of the most notable features of Netanyahu’s visit is the absence of a planned meeting with US President Donald Trump.
The two leaders jointly launched a war against Iran on February 28, but later diverged over an interim truce between Washington and Tehran, which Netanyahu opposed. Reuters reported that Netanyahu’s team had discussed potential meetings with senior US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but no such meeting had been set.
The absence of Trump’s meeting is particularly significant as Netanyahu approaches the election. The president of Mitvim Nimrod Goren, an Israeli think tank focused on the country’s foreign policy, told Reuters that not meeting Trump could have political significance for Netanyahu at home.
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Netanyahu’s unusual one-day trip to the US
Unlike his week-long visit to the US last year, Netanyahu’s trip to the UN in 2026 is exceptionally short.
He will arrive in New York on Thursday morning and is expected to return to Israel the same day after delivering his speech at the United Nations. Reuters reported that his stay was expected to last less than eight hours.
The compressed itinerary is partly tied to the Jewish festival of Sukkot, which Netanyahu’s office says begins Friday evening.
Who will Netanyahu meet?
Despite the absence of Trump’s meeting, Netanyahu has a series of meetings scheduled with foreign leaders.
His office said he is scheduled to meet the presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Ethiopia, Panama and Paraguay, the vice president of Colombia and the prime ministers of Greece, Papua New Guinea and Slovenia.
Netanyahu’s office said a number of world leaders had requested meetings, but his tight schedule meant he could only accommodate some of them.
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