Israeli PM Netanyahu to visit New York despite Mamdani’s arrest threat

Netanyahu defies ICC threats in New York

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that he still plans to visit New York, despite incoming mayor Zohran Mamdani’s threats to arrest him under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.

"Yes, I'll come to New York," Netanyahu said during a virtual interview with the New York Times’ Dealbook forum.

When asked if he would try to meet Mamdani, Netanyahu responded, "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 who will become New York's first Muslim and first South Asian mayor, has repeatedly affirmed his support for Israel's right to exist. However, he has declined to recognise Israel as a Jewish state, arguing that no country should have a "hierarchy of citizenship" based on religion or other factors.

The mayor-elect has also vowed to direct the New York Police Department to enforce ICC arrest warrants against leaders wanted by the court, including Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Hague-based ICC said last year that it had reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu was responsible for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during Israel's ongoing offensive in Gaza following the unprecedented Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

Israel has strongly rejected the allegations. Both Israel and countries including the United States and Russia have refused to join the ICC.

Despite Mamdani’s threats, an arrest of Netanyahu is considered unlikely, and legal experts question whether the mayor-elect has the authority to enforce such a warrant.

The federal government controls immigration matters, and the Trump administration has strongly defended Israel, even imposing sanctions against ICC judges and prosecutors.

New York is home to the largest Jewish population outside Israel and hosts the United Nations, where Netanyahu has frequently attended the annual General Assembly.

Under the US’s agreements as host country, visas are generally issued for official UN business, though in September the Trump administration denied entry to Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas.

(With AFP inputs)