Prominent constitutional attorney Alan Dershowitz issued a blunt warning to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, declaring that any attempt to interfere with Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu’s expected visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly would result in Mamdani himself being arrested.

Appearing on Newsmax, Dershowitz, professor emeritus at Harvard Law School and a member of Netanyahu’s legal team in the International Criminal Court case, said he stands ready to defend the Israeli prime minister if anyone attempts to obstruct his visit.

“Look, I’m one of Bibi Netanyahu’s lawyers,” Dershowitz said. “If Mamdani does anything to interfere with Bibi Netanyahu’s arrival in New York and speech, he will be arrested.”

Dershowitz’s comments followed Mamdani’s recent acknowledgment that New York City has no legal authority to carry out the ICC’s arrest warrant against Netanyahu. The mayor had previously suggested his administration was examining whether it could detain the Israeli leader during his anticipated September visit. Mamdani has since shifted his position, urging the federal government to join the ICC and enforce the warrant while continuing to label Netanyahu a “war criminal” and insisting he is unwelcome in New York.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from the war in Gaza. Israel has categorically rejected the accusations, maintaining that it has acted in self-defense following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, massacre and arguing that the ICC has no jurisdiction over Israeli officials. The United States is not a member of the court and does not recognize its authority over American or Israeli officials.

Dershowitz argued that any effort by Mamdani to take action against Netanyahu would violate U.S. law protecting foreign officials visiting the United States on official diplomatic business. Legal experts have likewise stated that New York City has no authority to enforce ICC warrants and that foreign leaders attending United Nations events are protected under American law.

The veteran attorney also announced plans to organize what he said would be a massive public demonstration in support of the Israeli prime minister, with the goal of drawing 100,000 people to Central Park during Netanyahu’s visit.

“You may not be welcome in Gracie Mansion, in that place of bigotry on the Upper East Side, but you’re welcome in New York,” Dershowitz said.

He went on to launch a scathing attack on Mamdani, accusing the mayor of fostering antisemitism and calling him “the greatest perpetrator of anti-Jewish hate in modern American history.” Dershowitz further compared the political atmosphere surrounding Mamdani to Germany before World War II, saying it was “the closest thing I’ve seen to Nazi Germany.”

Mamdani has consistently denied allegations of antisemitism, insisting that his criticism is aimed at the Israeli government rather than the Jewish people. He has repeatedly accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, an allegation that Israel has forcefully rejected.

Dershowitz also argued that the ICC’s case against Netanyahu has been severely weakened following Friday’s removal of former chief prosecutor Karim Khan over allegations of sexual misconduct. However, under the court’s procedures, existing arrest warrants remain in effect unless they are formally withdrawn by ICC judges, regardless of changes in the prosecutor’s office.