Prime Minister Netanyahu departed for the U.S. vowing to expose global hypocrisy at the UN and to coordinate with President Trump on defeating Hamas, freeing hostages, and expanding peace.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed early Thursday aboard the “Wing of Zion” for a high-stakes visit to the United States.
Speaking before takeoff, Netanyahu pledged to deliver a blunt message at the United Nations General Assembly:
“At the UN General Assembly, I will speak our truth. I will condemn those leaders who, instead of denouncing the murderers, rapists, and child burners, want to give them a state in the heart of the Land of Israel. That will not happen.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that Israel will not allow the international community to reward terrorism with statehood. His remarks come in response to several countries moving toward recognition of a Palestinian state, even as Hamas continues to hold hostages and boast of its October 7th atrocities.
Netanyahu highlighted his upcoming White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump — their fourth in recent months, more than with any other world leader. “We will discuss the great opportunities our victories have brought, and the need to complete the war’s objectives: bringing back all our hostages, defeating Hamas, and expanding the circle of peace after our historic victory in Operation Rising Lions and other successes,” he said.
President Trump, who has repeatedly declared his opposition to any phased release of hostages, has pressed for a comprehensive deal to secure their immediate return. In his holiday speech at the UN, Trump reiterated his support for Israel and warned the international community against appeasing Hamas through statehood recognition.
Netanyahu will address the UN General Assembly in New York on Friday at 9:00 a.m. local time (4:00 p.m. Israel time), where he is expected to directly rebuke nations that recognized a Palestinian state and lay out Israel’s principled opposition to the establishment of such a state.
Following his UN speech, Netanyahu will meet Trump in Washington on Monday for critical talks on post-war strategy, hostages, and advancing peace deals in the region.
For Israel, the visit is more than diplomacy — it is a battle of narratives. Netanyahu will stand in New York against the chorus of appeasement and declare that Israel will never exchange its survival for international approval.
