Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to travel to New York on Wednesday, September 23, to attend the UN General Assembly meetings, but his aircraft is set to land at Newark Airport in New Jersey instead of New York’s JFK Airport.
A US political source said the US Secret Service would take part in the security operation during the visit at an “extraordinary level.” The choice of Newark followed discussions over the aircraft’s security and where it would be parked at the airport.
Assessments that the change was linked to statements by New York Mayor Mamdani about Netanyahu or the possibility of a provocation were rejected.
Mamdani’s remarks about Netanyahu
Mamdani had said that if Netanyahu traveled to New York in September for the UN General Assembly meetings, they would act within the authority granted by New York City law regarding whether to enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant.
The New York mayor said he believed Netanyahu belonged in The Hague and described him as a war criminal indicted by the ICC. Netanyahu accused Mamdani of attacking the leader of the Jewish state, which he described as the only democracy in the Middle East. The Israeli prime minister also argued that the ICC had no jurisdiction over US and Israeli citizens.
The ICC arrest warrant
On November 21, 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza.
A group consisting of officials from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and Netanyahu’s personal protection team also traveled to the United States to carry out preparations and finalize details ahead of the visit.
