Netanyahu Plans New York Visit Despite Mayor-Elect’s ICC Arrest Threat
Israel has strongly rejected the accusations, and Israel, the United States, and Russia have not joined the ICC.
New York: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Wednesday that he still intends to visit New York, despite incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s warnings that he could face arrest under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.
In a virtual interview with the New York Times’ Dealbook forum, Netanyahu said, “Yes, I’ll come to New York.” When asked if he would seek a conversation with Mamdani, Netanyahu added, “If he changes his mind and says that we have the right to exist, that’ll be a good opening for a conversation.”
Mamdani, a democratic socialist and New York’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor-elect, has voiced support for Israel’s right to exist but has refused to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. He has promised to direct the New York Police Department to enforce ICC arrest warrants against leaders wanted by the Hague-based court, including Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The ICC last year said there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu may be responsible for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during Israel’s offensive in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. Israel has strongly rejected the accusations, and Israel, the United States, and Russia have not joined the ICC.
Despite Mamdani’s statements, experts consider Netanyahu’s arrest unlikely. Immigration and federal authorities handle entry into the U.S., and the previous Trump administration has consistently defended Israel, even imposing sanctions against ICC judges and prosecutors.
New York hosts the largest Jewish population outside Israel and the United Nations headquarters, where Netanyahu frequently attends the annual General Assembly. Under international agreements, the U.S. is expected to grant visas for official UN business, though past exceptions have been made, such as denying entry to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in September.
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