Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his intention to travel to New York in September to address the annual United Nations General Assembly. This announcement comes despite a public clash with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani regarding an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
Netanyahu dismissed the ICC's war crime charges as bogus and accused Mayor Mamdani of fomenting hate by labeling him a war criminal who should be arrested over Israel's war in Gaza. The Israeli leader also stated that Jewish Americans in New York are afraid right now.
Mayor Mamdani has encouraged the federal government to execute the ICC's arrest warrant for the Israeli prime minister. While acknowledging that New York City does not have the legal authority to execute such a warrant, the mayor's comments suggested that Netanyahu is not welcome in the city.