Netanyahu’s New York UN visit sees unusual US Secret Service security involvement

A diplomatic source has confirmed unusual US Secret Service involvement in security preparations for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming visit to the UN General Assembly in New York. Netanyahu will land at Newark Airport instead of JFK, a decision the source denies is linked to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who previously stated he lacks authority to arrest Netanyahu but declared the prime minister is not welcome in the city. The source clarified the airport change stems from discussions over parking and security arrangements. Netanyahu is expected to arrive on September 23 and address the UN before returning to Israel ahead of Sukkot.

Unusual involvement by the US Secret Service has been evident in preparations for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the UN General Assembly in New York, a diplomatic source told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday. The source, familiar with the details, also confirmed that Netanyahu will land at Newark Airport in New Jersey, closer to Manhattan than JFK Airport in Queens, where the prime minister's plane usually parks. The source denied that the decision could be connected to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani or to concerns over a possible provocation, clarifying that the matter stems from discussions with the airport over where the plane will be parked and how it will be secured. Netanyahu is expected to land in New York on Wednesday, September 23, and address the UN at 9 p.m. Israel time, returning to Israel before Sukkot on September 25. A preparatory delegation from the Prime Minister's Office and the VIP security unit arrived on Tuesday night to finalize details. Last month, NYPD sources estimated more than 60 police officers and detectives could be involved in security arrangements alongside federal, diplomatic, and Israeli security personnel. Mamdani has previously addressed the possibility of Netanyahu traveling to New York after pledging during his election campaign to order the prime minister's arrest in accordance with an ICC warrant. "I believe Netanyahu belongs in The Hague," Mamdani said. "He is a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court." The NYC mayor then said it was clear that "we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant," but asserted that Netanyahu "is not welcome in New York City."