Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to take off tonight for the UN General Assembly in New York, United States. When is the takeoff, who will replace Netanyahu as acting Prime Minister, and when will he return to the country?
Despite the escalation in fighting in the north, and perhaps as a result of it, Prime Minister Netanyahu intends to take off today for the UN General Assembly at the organization's headquarters in New York. According to reports, Netanyahu insists on flying in order to garner support in the US and the international community for Israel's continued actions in Lebanon and Gaza.
Netanyahu's office stated that he is "determined" to go and speak at the assembly, even in the current security situation, as part of an international effort to mobilize international support.
The Prime Minister and his wife are expected to take off during the night, around 01:00 Israel time. The flight will be on the Prime Minister's dedicated aircraft "Kanaf Zion" and will include the Prime Minister, his wife, office staff, and journalists.
Netanyahu is expected to stay in the United States until Saturday night and take off immediately after the Sabbath ends.
While the Prime Minister is absent from the country, an acting Prime Minister will be appointed as required by law. Netanyahu's replacement, who will serve as acting Prime Minister for about 3 days, will be Foreign Minister Israel Katz.
Katz is supposed to serve in the role in a procedural capacity only, as the Kanaf Zion aircraft is equipped with classified and encrypted communication systems that will allow the Prime Minister to participate in discussions, including war-related issues if necessary, even from US soil.
