Israel's Netanyahu set to hit back at widespread criticism in U.N. address

Tel Aviv — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to address the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday as his country faces broad condemnation and growing isolation over Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.Netanyahu arrived in New York early Thursday morning and is due to leave just a few hours after his speech, which he is scheduled to deliver at 2 p.m. Eastern.Leaders from Europe and the Middle East, including France, the U.K., Jordan, Syria, Qatar and Turkey, devoted at least some of their time at the U.N. podium Wednesday to harshly denounce Israel.Analysts say Netanyahu will take advantage of the critical focus on Israel to demonstrate his ability to defend his country on the international stage just weeks before a tightly contested Israeli election. A member of the Jewish anti-Zionist group Neturei Karta holds a sign denouncing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside the perimeter of a "No More Excuses Rally Against Antisemitism," outside the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. Headquarters, Sept. 23, 2026, in New York City. Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty It will be an unusually brief trip to New York for N...