Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the United Nations, dismissed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s warning that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be arrested during the UN General Assembly, calling the threat “pure political theater” on Saturday.
Addressing Mamdani directly, the US envoy said the mayor’s proposed arrest of Netanyahu in New York City during the UN General Assembly “is not going to happen.”
Waltz argued that the legal basis for such a move does not apply, noting that the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court. He also pointed to the UN Headquarters Agreement, saying it provides diplomatic protections for visiting heads of government, while head-of-state immunity and federal authority would override the wishes of any local mayor.
The UN General Assembly is set to take place in early September.
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Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations in New York, responded sharply, saying that “if anyone should be arrested, it is New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.”
Danon accused Mamdani of failing to lead New York effectively, saying the mayor should be concentrating on his municipal duties and addressing what he described as a rising wave of antisemitism in the city, rather than stirring hostility and seeking headlines through attacks on the State of Israel.
“It will not change a thing. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will come to New York, address the United Nations General Assembly with pride and stand before the world to state Israel’s truth and its unwavering right to defend its citizens,” Danon stated.
Mark Treyger, CEO of JCRC-NY, also criticized Mamdani’s stance, saying New Yorkers elected a mayor “to make our city safer, stronger and more affordable,” not to manage foreign policy.
“The mayor should be in active conversations about raising pay for New York City’s paraprofessionals, early childhood educators, EMS workers and other essential city workers whose futures are directly within the city’s responsibility.”
