Netanyahu Pledges New York Trip Despite Mamdani Arrest Threat

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed he still plans to visit New York despite incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s threats to enforce an International Criminal Court warrant against him.

Mamdani, New York’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor, supports Israel’s right to exist but refuses to recognize it as a Jewish state, raising the possibility of NYPD intervention against Netanyahu or other leaders, including Vladimir Putin.

The Hague-based ICC has alleged Netanyahu’s involvement in war crimes during Israel’s 2023 Gaza offensive, which Israel and its allies reject.

While an arrest in New York is considered unlikely due to federal authority over visas, Netanyahu has expressed willingness to meet Mamdani if dialogue is possible.

The situation highlights tensions between local political statements, international legal pressures, and federal diplomatic protections, as New York remains a central hub for the UN and global diplomacy.