Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to make a rapid 24-hour visit to New York this month to address the annual United Nations General Assembly, a trip Israel’s U.N. ambassador said has become unavoidable after the city’s mayor called for Netanyahu’s arrest over the Gaza war.
Speaking Tuesday, Ambassador Danny Danon criticized Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of turning Israel into a political target after Mamdani described Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and urged that he be detained. The mayor later had to walk back the arrest call, since New York City has no legal power to take the Israeli leader into custody.
“It became very trendy to do politics by blaming Israel,” Danon said, arguing that Netanyahu’s appearance at the U.N. remains essential. “For us, it’s important the prime minister will come,” he added.
Netanyahu’s planned U.N. speech comes as he remains one of the most divisive figures on the world stage, with international criticism intensifying over Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza.
Mamdani’s office did not immediately respond Tuesday to requests for comment. The mayor has previously cited the November 2024 arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, the world’s leading war crimes tribunal, which accused Netanyahu and another Israeli official of crimes against humanity.
According to the ICC warrant, judges found grounds to believe Netanyahu had used “starvation as a weapon of warfare” by limiting humanitarian assistance and had deliberately targeted civilians during Israel’s operation against Hamas. Israel has firmly rejected those allegations.
Although New York City cannot enforce an ICC warrant, Mamdani has urged the federal government to act on it.
The United States and Israel are not parties to the International Criminal Court, and the Trump administration has placed multiple sanctions on ICC personnel as part of a broader effort to weaken the tribunal.
Netanyahu is scheduled to arrive in New York late on Sept. 23, address the U.N. General Assembly the afternoon of Sept. 24 and fly back to Israel that night, Danon said.
Danon noted that the meeting of leaders from the 193 U.N. member nations is taking place during the Jewish holidays and an election campaign as Netanyahu tries to keep his job as prime minister.
Danon said protests against Netanyahu would “create more chaos” on New York streets during the high-level meetings the week of Sept. 22-28.
Last year, there was a mass walkout from the U.N. General Assembly hall when Netanyahu started to speak from the podium. This year, Danon said, “I expect that there will be something like another show.”
But the ambassador said Netanyahu is experienced, “and I’m sure he will deliver his speech despite those attempts.”
