Israeli newspaper says Netanyahu’s plane may avoid New York airport amid concerns over Mamdani

An Israeli newspaper reported on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plane will not land at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York during his visit to the United States on Thursday, amid concerns that Mayor Zohran Mamdani could order the plane to leave immediately.

Yedioth Ahronoth said Netanyahu’s plane, Israel’s official state aircraft, Wing of Zion, is expected to land at a military base in New Jersey or at Newark Liberty International Airport instead of JFK Airport in New York.

The newspaper attributed the decision to “difficulties in coordinating with US authorities” and concerns that Mamdani could order Wing of Zion to take off immediately rather than remain at the airport while Netanyahu is away. It said the plane would therefore land in New Jersey.

The newspaper quoted unnamed informed sources as saying: “Netanyahu decided to significantly shorten his visit to New York and will not stay overnight there because of concerns about protests.”

It also reported that Netanyahu had cancelled a planned stop in Texas to meet US billionaire Elon Musk.

An Israeli source told the newspaper, commenting on the cancellation of the meeting with Musk: “There were challenges in coordinating, either because of the need to land to refuel or because the Americans prefer not to coordinate at the last minute.”

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