Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired off a defiant message on his way to New York, declaring he would defend Israel and its soldiers from what he called "terrible lies" being spread at the United Nations. In a video posted just before his September 23 departure, he vowed to confront those narratives head-on and stand up for what he described as the truth about Israel's military and its people, adding cryptically that "surprises" were still to come. The trip lands during one of Israel's most tense diplomatic stretches in years, arriving days after France, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Canada and Australia moved to recognize a Palestinian state, and amid a bitter public feud with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has called for Netanyahu's arrest under an International Criminal Court warrant. Netanyahu is scheduled to be the first speaker at this year's General Assembly debate, addressing delegates just after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Aides describe the upcoming address as combative, built to push back against the wave of statehood recognitions and to counter accusations of genocide leveled at Israel over its conduct in Gaza. It follows a familiar pattern for Netanyahu, who has used the UN podium in past years to reject Palestinian statehood outright and to unveil dramatic props and announcements that dominate headlines long after he leaves the stage. His remarks also come against the backdrop of his ongoing clash with Mamdani, whom he has accused of "fomenting hate" and stoking division among New Yorkers following the mayor's own video branding him a war criminal. With protesters expected outside UN headquarters and delegates from several nations previously walking out during his past speeches, Netanyahu's promise of "surprises" has already stirred speculation over what he plans to reveal this time.