Israeli PM leaves for New York to attend UN General Assembly

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid took off for New York City shortly after midnight on September 20 morning, headed for the United Nations General Assembly, Report informs referring to The Times of Israel.

On the sidelines of the forum, he is scheduled to hold talks with the head of the world organization and the leaders of a number of states.

“I am leaving tonight for a diplomatic visit that will include meetings with heads of state and with Jewish leaders,” said Lapid in a statement shortly before departing. “On Thursday I will represent Israel on the stage of the UN General Assembly.”

“On this stage, the voice of Israel, our right to security and our aspirations will be heard, as will Israel’s contributions to regional stability and to international cooperation,” he said.

During his address, Lapid is expected to speak at some length about the Iranian nuclear talks. Israeli officials are confident that no return to the JCPOA will be reached before the November midterm elections in the United States, and that it is increasingly likely that no deal will be reached at all.

Lapid is slated to meet in New York on September 20 afternoon with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Lapid will meet with new UK Prime Minister Liz Truss on September 21 afternoon.

Other meetings with world leaders are expected to be announced during the trip.