Netanyahu says he will travel to New York despite Mamdani arrest calls over ICC warrant

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September despite repeated calls from New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani for his arrest over Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Netanyahu made the remarks after meeting US President Donald Trump at the White House, saying he would go to New York as planned. He said he would "speak the truth" in front of what he described as a "hate-spewing elected official." Netanyahu dismissed Mamdani's calls and the International Criminal Court warrant against him as "fake," and described the court as "corrupt" and "evil." He also questioned why the court had targeted him while, in his view, failing to hold groups such as Hezbollah accountable.

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According to the report, Mamdani has repeatedly criticised Netanyahu over Israel's military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, calling him a "war criminal" and accusing him of genocide against Palestinians. Mamdani has acknowledged that New York City officials do not have the legal authority to arrest Netanyahu under the ICC warrant, but he has urged federal authorities to enforce it. The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes related to the Gaza conflict.

Israel rejects the allegations and does not recognise the court's jurisdiction. The dispute has therefore become both a legal and political confrontation, with the planned UN visit placing the issue in a high-profile international setting. The row matters because it brings together an active international legal case, a major diplomatic gathering and a local US political campaign.

The United Nations General Assembly in New York is one of the most visible annual forums for world leaders, and any appearance by Netanyahu is likely to draw attention well beyond the city. The comments also underline the continuing fallout from the Gaza war, which has widened into disputes over accountability, jurisdiction and the role of national authorities in enforcing international warrants. Netanyahu also used the interview to defend his recent meeting with Trump, calling it one of the best he has had with the US president.

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He said reports of cracks in US-Israel ties were unfounded and said both leaders remained united in their objective of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He added that this goal would be achieved "either through diplomatic means or other means" if necessary. Those remarks suggest the New York dispute is unfolding alongside broader regional tensions and continuing debate over Israel's military and diplomatic strategy.

What remains unclear is whether any federal authority will act on Mamdani's calls, and how Netanyahu's planned visit will be handled if he attends the General Assembly in September. The ICC warrant remains contested by Israel, and the court's ability to influence events in the United States is limited by questions of jurisdiction and enforcement. The issue is likely to stay politically sensitive as the UN meeting approaches and as Mamdani continues his campaign in New York City.

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