Netanyahu’s plane to land in New Jersey instead of NYC over Mamdani fears

‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official aircraft, the “Wing of Zion,” will land in New Jersey rather than at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport during his upcoming visit for the United Nations General Assembly, ‘Israeli’ security officials have decided.

The change, according to the officials cited by Hebrew media, stems from concerns that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani could seek to disrupt the plane’s stay on the ground at JFK throughout the trip.

Alternatives under consideration include Newark Liberty International Airport or a nearby military airfield, both of which would allow the aircraft to remain parked for the duration of Netanyahu’s time in the New York area.

‘Israeli’ officials fear Mamdani, who has publicly opposed Netanyahu’s presence, might order the plane to leave JFK immediately rather than permit it to stay until the prime minister’s return.

In previous years, JFK had granted ‘Israeli’ (and Iranian) leaders the privilege of keeping their official aircraft parked for the full length of visits.

The US Secret Service is taking an unusually prominent role in security arrangements for the trip.

Mamdani has long criticized Netanyahu over the Gaza assault and the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him.

During his mayoral campaign and afterward, he stated he would seek Netanyahu’s arrest if the ‘Israeli’ leader entered the city.

In a July video address, Mamdani said: “Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large,” while acknowledging New York lacks independent legal authority to enforce the ICC warrant and calling on the federal government to do so.

He has encouraged protests against the visit, but said he will not participate in them.

Netanyahu has dismissed Mamdani’s position sharply.

In a Fox News interview earlier this year, he called the mayor a “hate-spewing elected official who’s pitting one group of New Yorkers against the other” and asked: “He’s turning them against New York Jews. I mean, what are we, in the 1930s?”

He has repeatedly affirmed his intention to address the UN regardless.

According to the latest reports, Netanyahu’s schedule has been dramatically shortened.

He is expected to arrive in the United States only on Thursday morning (around September 24), deliver his UN speech at 2 PM New York time, and depart that same evening without an overnight stay.

No meeting with President Donald Trump is planned, as Trump is scheduled to leave New York earlier; a previously considered stop in Texas to meet Elon Musk has also been canceled.

Protests are anticipated near the United Nations and outside any hotel, while pro-‘Israel’ groups in New York’s Jewish community are organizing counter-demonstrations.

‘Israeli’ officials are also preparing for possible disruptions inside the General Assembly hall, such as walkouts.

Netanyahu’s speech is expected to focus primarily on the Iranian threat and is said by aides to include “surprises.”

Netanyahu is due to return to ‘Israel’ before the start of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.