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Date: September 24, 2026
Reporter: Emilly Jordan
TEL AVIV — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to use his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday to confront New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, escalating a public dispute between the two men as Netanyahu faces a closely watched election in Israel next month.
Netanyahu is expected to criticize Mamdani over the mayor's description of him as a war criminal. Mamdani, who took office as New York's mayor in January, has also described Netanyahu as “the architect of a horrific genocide against Palestinians,” allegations Netanyahu rejects.
In a video statement earlier this week, Netanyahu said he was travelling to New York to “tell the truth about our heroic soldiers” and “to tell the truth about you,” referring directly to Mamdani.
Netanyahu also accused Mamdani of supporting Hamas militants. Reuters reported that accusation as false. Mamdani has condemned antisemitism while maintaining his criticism of Israel's military actions in Gaza.
Mamdani had campaigned for mayor on a promise to have Netanyahu arrested for alleged war crimes if the Israeli prime minister visited New York. He later acknowledged that, as mayor, he did not have the legal authority to make such an arrest.
Netanyahu's planned confrontation with Mamdani comes as Israel prepares for a general election scheduled for October 27. Opinion polls cited by Reuters indicate that Netanyahu could lose his long hold on power, although the outcome remains uncertain. The campaign has taken place amid continued criticism of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza and questions about Netanyahu's political and security record.
Former Israeli ambassador to the United States Michael Oren told Reuters that Netanyahu's UN appearance was likely to resemble a campaign speech aimed partly at Israeli voters rather than simply an address to the international community.
The prime minister's visit to New York is also unusually brief. Netanyahu arrived in the United States early Thursday and is expected to return to Israel later the same day after delivering his afternoon UN address. His office said he is scheduled to meet the presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Panama and Ethiopia, as well as the vice president of Colombia and the prime ministers of Greece, Slovenia and Papua New Guinea.
Notably, Netanyahu is not expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump during the visit. Two Israeli officials had previously said Netanyahu's team was discussing possible meetings with senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but no such meetings had been confirmed.
The absence of a Trump meeting is significant because the two leaders have maintained close ties while also experiencing disagreements over U.S. policy toward Iran. Trump and Netanyahu jointly launched a war against Iran on February 28, but their governments later came into conflict over an interim U.S.-Iran ceasefire that Israel opposed.
The upcoming Israeli election adds another political dimension to Netanyahu's UN appearance. Israeli voters are expected to weigh the government's handling of security issues, the Gaza war and Israel's international relations.
At the same time, Israelis opposed to Netanyahu's right-wing government are planning demonstrations in New York during his visit.
Netanyahu has frequently used his appearances at the United Nations to focus international attention on Iran and to defend Israel's military policies. In previous speeches, he has used charts, diagrams and other visual material to warn about Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran says is intended for civilian purposes. Last year, several delegations walked out of the General Assembly as Netanyahu approached the lectern, while supporters in the gallery applauded him.
Analysts cited by Reuters expect Netanyahu to again defend Israel, confront international criticism and focus heavily on Iran. Mitvim think tank president Nimrod Goren said Netanyahu was also likely to highlight his relationship with Trump and what he considers achievements in strengthening Israel's position.
Israel has faced increased diplomatic pressure over the Gaza war and its policies in the occupied West Bank. Britain, France and Canada announced sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the West Bank earlier this month, measures that drew a muted response from Washington.
Netanyahu's UN appearance therefore comes at the intersection of international diplomacy and domestic politics, with his confrontation with Mamdani expected to feature prominently as he addresses world leaders and Israeli voters from the same stage.
The prime minister is scheduled to deliver his speech on Thursday afternoon before returning to Israel, where the October 27 election campaign is entering its final weeks.