Stories
Netanyahu's Brief US Visit Signals Strained Ties Amidst Looming Election
- •Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's unusually brief visit to the UN, lasting less than eight hours, highlights rocky US-Israeli relations.
- •The trip contrasts sharply with his week-long visit last year, which included a meeting with then-President Donald Trump.
- •Netanyahu's office announced meetings with nine world leaders, primarily from Latin American nations, but notably omitted any US officials.
- •Former Israeli ambassador Michael Oren expressed surprise, stating he couldn't recall a prime minister visiting the US without meeting the president, calling it a blow for Netanyahu ahead of Israel's October 27 general election.
- •The brief visit and lack of US official meetings come as US public backing for Israel has declined since the Gaza war, and Israel faces increasing diplomatic isolation.
Key Questions Answered
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to stay in New York for less than eight hours to meet with several world leaders before returning home ahead of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. His office noted that a tight schedule limited the number of meetings he could accommodate.
During his brief visit, Netanyahu is scheduled to meet the presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Panama, Ethiopia, the vice president of Colombia, and the prime ministers of Greece, Slovenia, and Papua New Guinea.
Former Israeli ambassador Michael Oren described the visit as a blow for Netanyahu ahead of the October 27 general election, noting he could not recall another instance where an Israeli prime minister visited the United States without meeting the president.
