Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he intends to travel to New York in September to address the United Nations General Assembly, dismissing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant and rejecting suggestions by the city’s mayor that he is unwelcome.
Netanyahu accused New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani of “fomenting hate” after the mayor described the Israeli leader as a war criminal who should be arrested over the war in Gaza if he sets foot in the city.
The prime minister has repeatedly characterised the ICC’s war crimes charges against him as “bogus,” and reiterated his intention to attend the annual gathering of world leaders regardless of the legal threat.
The ICC issued arrest warrants in late 2024 for Netanyahu and his former defence minister over alleged crimes committed during the conflict in Gaza. Israel is not a member of the court and does not recognise its jurisdiction, and the United States is likewise not a party to the Rome Statute.
Mamdani, who took office as mayor earlier this year, said last week that New York City lacks the legal authority to execute an arrest warrant issued by the tribunal. He instead encouraged the federal government to act should Netanyahu visit.
The mayor had previously drawn attention for pledging tougher measures, but later clarified the limits of a city government’s powers in enforcing an international court ruling.
The exchange underscores the tension between Netanyahu’s diplomatic itinerary and the political landscape of a city whose leadership has been openly critical of Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
As host to the UN headquarters, the United States is generally obligated to grant access to visiting heads of government attending official sessions, a factor that would likely facilitate Netanyahu’s appearance regardless of local objections.
This development comes as international scrutiny of the Gaza conflict continues to shape diplomatic engagements across Western capitals, with several ICC member states signalling differing positions on how to respond to the warrants.
Netanyahu is expected in New York in September, setting the stage for a high-profile appearance at the General Assembly amid ongoing debate over the court’s reach and the political divisions the visit has already exposed.