Netanyahu to Make Brief UN Trip After Mamdani Calls for His Arrest, Diplomat Says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a brief 24-hour trip to New York this month to address the annual UN General Assembly, despite calls from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his arrest over the war in Gaza, Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon said Tuesday.

Danon said there was “no option” but for Netanyahu to attend the gathering of world leaders, accusing Mamdani of playing politics by calling the Israeli leader a “war criminal” and demanding his arrest.

“For us, it’s important the prime minister will come,” Danon said.

Netanyahu has become an increasingly divisive figure over Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. Mamdani has cited an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in November 2024 against Netanyahu and another senior Israeli official over alleged crimes against humanity.

The ICC said there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu was responsible for actions including using “starvation as a weapon of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and deliberately targeting civilians. Israel has rejected the allegations.

Although New York City has no authority to enforce an ICC arrest warrant, Mamdani has urged the US federal government to take action. Neither the United States nor Israel is a member of the ICC, while the Trump administration has imposed sanctions on ICC officials as part of efforts to undermine the court.

According to Danon, Netanyahu is expected to arrive in New York late on September 23, address the UN General Assembly on the afternoon of September 24 and return to Israel that night.

The visit comes as the UN gathering coincides with Jewish holidays and an election campaign in Israel, as Netanyahu seeks to retain his position as prime minister.

Danon also warned that protests against Netanyahu could add to tensions and “create more chaos” on New York streets during the high-level UN meetings from September 22 to 28.

Last year, numerous delegates walked out of the General Assembly hall as Netanyahu began his address. Danon said he expected another similar protest this year.

However, he expressed confidence that Netanyahu would remain unfazed.

“He is experienced, and I’m sure he will deliver his speech despite those attempts,” Danon said.