Netanyahu's plane avoids JFK and lands in New Jersey

Arrangements for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the United States are moving toward limiting his presence in New York, with expectations that his aircraft, “Wing of Zion,” will land in New Jersey rather than at John F. Kennedy Airport, according to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. The newspaper reported that the plane is expected to land at Newark Airport or a military base in New Jersey, amid difficulties in coordinating with U.S. authorities and concerns that the plane may not be allowed to remain at a New York airport for the duration of Netanyahu’s visit. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Netanyahu has decided to shorten his stay in New York and not spend the night there, limiting his presence to a few hours to deliver his speech at the United Nations General Assembly before returning to Israel, amid fears of anticipated protests during his time in the city. The newspaper noted that Netanyahu also canceled a previously scheduled stop in Texas to meet with American businessman Elon Musk, as part of the effort to scale back the visit itinerary. Earlier reports had indicated that the Texas stop was part of the flight schedule before it was modified. The visit arrangements come amid open tension between Netanyahu and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who stated earlier that he lacks the legal authority to arrest the Israeli prime minister, while U.S. security agencies and local authorities prepare to secure the visit amid expectations of protests.