Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Netanyahu’s Brief New York Visit Highlights Strained US-Israel Ties
Benjamin Netanyahu is making a very short trip to New York to speak at the United Nations.
He is expected to stay for less than eight hours.
His office said he will meet leaders from several countries, especially in Latin America.
The schedule does not include a meeting with US President Donald Trump.
A former Israeli ambassador said this was unusual and could hurt Netanyahu before Israel’s election.
Netanyahu’s office said he has limited time because he must return before the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
Relations between Israel and some traditional partners have become more difficult because of the Gaza war and West Bank settlements.
US support for Israel has also weakened among Democrats, while Israel has faced growing diplomatic isolation.
Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to spend fewer than eight hours in New York for a United Nations address.
His office listed meetings with nine leaders, including officials from Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Panama, Ethiopia, Colombia, Greece, Slovenia and Papua New Guinea.
Netanyahu’s schedule does not include a meeting with Donald Trump or other US officials.
Former ambassador Michael Oren called the absence of a presidential meeting unusual and damaging before Israel’s October 27 election.
The visit comes as Israel faces diplomatic isolation over the Gaza war and West Bank settlement expansion.
- Who
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the leaders he is scheduled to meet, and critics including former ambassador Michael Oren.
- What
- Netanyahu is making a brief US visit to address the United Nations and hold selected meetings with foreign leaders.
- When
- September 24; Israel’s general election is scheduled for October 27.
- Where
- New York, United States, for the annual United Nations General Assembly.
- Why
- Netanyahu’s office cited a tight schedule and the need to return before Sukkot; the visit also occurs amid strained US-Israeli ties and Israel’s diplomatic isolation over Gaza and West Bank settlements.
Netanyahu’s Office
Critics and Former Officials
Why the visit is so short
Netanyahu’s Office
Netanyahu’s office said many leaders requested meetings, but limited time and the need to return before Sukkot allowed him to accommodate only some of them.
Critics and Former Officials
Michael Oren viewed the absence of a meeting with the US president or another senior US official as a sign of diminished standing.
Political significance
Netanyahu’s Office
The selected meetings with nine foreign leaders demonstrate that Netanyahu still has an active international schedule during the visit.
Critics and Former Officials
Oren described the United Nations address as effectively a campaign speech and said it would have been stronger with a meeting with Trump or another major world leader.
Israel’s diplomatic position
Netanyahu’s Office
Netanyahu’s office emphasized engagement with countries including several Latin American nations with which Israel has sought deeper ties.
Critics and Former Officials
The report highlights Israel’s growing isolation, strained relations with European partners, sanctions by Britain, France and Canada targeting West Bank settlements, and declining US public support among Democrats.
- Expected visit length
- Less than eight hours in New York
- Main purpose
- Address the annual United Nations General Assembly
- Scheduled meetings
- Nine leaders, including six presidents or vice presidents and three prime ministers
- US meetings
- Netanyahu’s office did not list meetings with Donald Trump or other US officials
- Israeli election
- Scheduled for October 27
- Stated scheduling reason
- A tight schedule and the need to return before the Jewish holiday of Sukkot
- Diplomatic context
- Israel faces strained relations with traditional partners and growing diplomatic isolation over the Gaza war and West Bank settlements