Netanyahu’s Short U.N. Visit Highlights Deteriorating U.S.-Israel Relations

By Emily Rose and Rami Ayyub

JERUSALEM, Sept 24 (Reuters) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s unusually brief visit to the United States to address the United Nations contrasts sharply with his extended stay last year, which included a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The shortened trip underscores growing tensions in the bilateral relationship between the two nations.

According to two Israeli officials, Netanyahu is expected to remain in New York for fewer than eight hours before heading back to Israel.

His office announced that he will hold meetings with nine world leaders—five from Latin American countries where Israel has been working to strengthen diplomatic ties amid mounting pressure over its policies in Gaza and the expansion of West Bank settlements.

However, the statement from Netanyahu’s office notably omitted any reference to planned talks with U.S. officials during the U.N. General Assembly session.

Electoral Challenges Ahead

Michael Oren, Israel’s former ambassador to Washington, remarked that he could not recall a precedent when an Israeli prime minister visited the U.S. without holding talks with the president. He described the oversight as a significant setback for Netanyahu on the eve of Israel’s October 27 general election.

Trump and Netanyahu have met eight times since the start of the latter’s second term as president, with their most recent meeting taking place in July.

“This is essentially a campaign stop,” Oren said. “It would be far more effective if this speech were paired with a meeting with the president, another global leader, or at minimum the secretary of state. But evidently, that isn’t happening.”

He continued, “I can’t remember a time when the prime minister came to Washington and didn’t see the president… So I imagine he must be quite disappointed.”

In response to questions about the scheduling, Netanyahu’s office cited a packed agenda and the need to return to Israel before the start of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, explaining that while many leaders had sought appointments, time constraints allowed only limited engagements.

The premier’s office did not provide additional comments regarding Oren’s criticism.

Recent polling suggests Netanyahu may face an uphill battle in the upcoming election, despite his experience and political resilience. His reputation on national security remains affected by the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, yet analysts caution against underestimating his influence.

The itinerary released by his office includes bilateral discussions with the presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Panama, and Ethiopia, along with Colombia’s vice president, as well as the prime ministers of Greece, Slovenia, and Papua New Guinea.

Earlier this year, Netanyahu and Trump publicly aligned on several regional issues, including their joint stance against Iran. However, their paths diverged as Trump expressed intentions to withdraw from the ongoing conflict, particularly after a temporary agreement with Tehran in June—an initiative opposed by Israel and subsequently abandoned after weeks of instability.

The Gaza conflict has significantly impacted Israel’s standing internationally, with shifting public sentiment in the United States contributing to declining support, especially among Democratic voters.

Since launching military operations in Gaza following the October 7 attacks, Israel has encountered increasing diplomatic isolation. In mid-September, traditional allies such as Britain, France, and Canada imposed new sanctions aimed at curbing Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank—an action met with minimal reaction from Washington.

(Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Alex Richardson)

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