TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN will deliver a speech at the UN General Assembly in New York today.
He will take the podium at around 3:15pm Irish time, not long after Israeli Prime Minister gives his much-anticipated speech.
The Taoiseach’s arrival in New York, following a visit to the Canadian capital Ottawa, was up in the air until the last minute.
Martin’s flight was repeatedly delayed due to thunderstorms and the Taoiseach’s team feared he would not make it to New York in time.
There were discussions about the possibility of making the eight-hour drive from Ottawa to New York but in the end, the flight left in time
Martin already spoke at the UN this week at the high level conference on Palestinian self-determination, when he commended the countries that had chosen to recognise the State of Palestine.
Netanyahu is expected to deliver a typically combative speech when he takes the podium at 2pm Irish time.
Netanyahu is entirely opposed to Palestinian statehood and his ministers have been threatening to annex the occupied West Bank in response to the recent recognition of Palestine by France, Canada, the UK and Australia.
But US President Donald Trump, a close ally of Israel and Netanyhu, said yesterday he would not permit annexation.
“I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “No, I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen.”
Large protests are expected in New York City in response to Netanyahu’s presence.
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s real-estate friend turned global negotiator, was seen entering the tightly guarded luxury hotel where Netanyahu was staying in Manhattan.
Around 20 protesters and a similar number of Netanyahu supporters were spotted outside.
“War criminals don’t deserve any peace of mind. They don’t deserve any sleep,” said Andrea Mirez, a young woman among the protesters.
Activists have planned a march from Times Square today that will call for Netanyahu’s arrest, to coincide with his speech.
Due to the fact that he is facing an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant over war crime allegations, including using starvation as a weapon, the Israeli prime minister took an unusual route to New York that included flying over the narrow Strait of Gibraltar.
Signatories to the ICC are obligated to arrest people wanted by the court if they enter their territory. The US and Israel do not recognise the ICC.
With reporting from AFP
