Published: 11:48 PM, 23 September 2026
Netanyahu's jet to avoid JFK Airport amid Mamdani concerns
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official aircraft is expected to avoid New York's John F Kennedy International Airport during his visit to the United States for the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Israeli media report. Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said on Monday that Wing of Zion, Israel's official state aircraft, is expected to land at a military base in New Jersey or Newark Liberty International Airport instead of JFK, the UK-based Middle East Monitor reports.
The newspaper attributed the possible change to difficulties coordinating with US authorities and concerns that New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani could seek to prevent the aircraft from remaining at the airport while Netanyahu was away.
It cited unnamed sources as saying Netanyahu had also decided to significantly shorten his stay in New York and would not remain overnight because of concerns over protests.
The newspaper also reported that Netanyahu had cancelled a planned stop in Texas to meet billionaire Elon Musk.
An Israeli source told the newspaper that there had been difficulties coordinating the meeting, possibly because the aircraft would need to land for refuelling or because US authorities preferred not to arrange the stop at short notice.
The reports come ahead of Netanyahu's planned US visit on Thursday.
