Netanyahu to address UN in New York despite Mamdani arrest call

Benjamin Netanyahu will visit New York for a brief UN General Assembly address despite earlier calls for his arrest. The trip underscores how the Gaza war and ICC case continue to shape diplomacy and protests.

In Short

• Israel’s UN envoy said skipping the leaders’ gathering was never an option
• Mamdani withdrew his arrest demand after city powers were found limited
• ICC accuses Netanyahu of aid restrictions and targeting civilians in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a 24-hour trip to New York later this month to address the annual United Nations gathering of world leaders, despite calls by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his arrest over the war in Gaza. Israel's UN envoy Danny Danon said on Tuesday that there was "no option" but for Netanyahu to attend.

Danon said the visit would go ahead even though Netanyahu has become an increasingly polarising figure over Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. He accused Mamdani of "doing politics" by calling the Israeli prime minister a "war criminal" and seeking his arrest.

Mamdani later withdrew that call after it became clear that New York City does not have the authority to take Netanyahu into custody. His office did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on Tuesday. Mamdani has pointed to the arrest warrant issued in November 2024 by the International Criminal Court against Netanyahu and another Israeli official on accusations of crimes against humanity.

The ICC warrant said there was reason to believe Netanyahu used "starvation as a weapon of warfare" by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeting civilians during the campaign against Hamas. Israel has denied those charges. While New York City does not have the legal authority to execute an ICC arrest warrant, Mamdani has urged the federal government to do so. The US and Israel are not members of the court, and the Trump administration has imposed sanctions on ICC staffers in what it has described as a campaign to dismantle the tribunal.

"You know, it became very trendy to do politics by blaming Israel," Danon said. He added, "For us, it's important the prime minister will come." Netanyahu is scheduled to arrive in New York late on September 23, address the UN General Assembly on the afternoon of September 24 and fly back to Israel that night, Danon said.

Danon noted that the meeting of leaders from the 193 UN member nations is being held during the Jewish holidays and in the middle of an election campaign as Netanyahu tries to remain prime minister. He also said protests against Netanyahu would "create more chaos" on New York streets during the high-level meetings from September 22 to 28.

Last year, there was a mass walkout from the UN General Assembly hall when Netanyahu began speaking. This year, Danon said, "I expect that there will be something like another show." He added that Netanyahu is experienced, "and I'm sure he will deliver his speech despite those attempts". In sum, Netanyahu will make a brief visit to the UN gathering as planned, with Israel insisting his address cannot be skipped despite political and legal controversy around his presence in New York.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends