Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu will make a tightly scheduled 24-hour visit to New York later this month to address the United Nations General Assembly, despite the controversy sparked by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s previous calls for his arrest, Israel’s ambassador to the U.N. said Tuesday.

Ambassador Danny Danon said Netanyahu’s appearance at the annual gathering of world leaders remains essential, declaring that “there is no option” but for the Israeli leader to make the trip.

Danon accused Mamdani of “doing politics” when the mayor branded Netanyahu a “war criminal” and called for him to be arrested. Mamdani subsequently acknowledged that New York City lacks the legal authority to carry out such an arrest.

“You know, it became very trendy to do politics by blaming Israel,” Danon said. He added, “For us, it’s important the prime minister will come.”

The controversy stems from the International Criminal Court’s November 2024 arrest warrant for Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over allegations connected to Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. Mamdani has cited that warrant in explaining his position on Netanyahu.

The ICC alleged that there were grounds to believe Netanyahu had used “starvation as a weapon of warfare” by limiting humanitarian assistance and deliberately targeting civilians during the Gaza war. Israel has rejected the accusations.

Although New York City itself cannot enforce the ICC warrant, Mamdani has urged the federal government to act on it. Both the United States and Israel are outside the ICC, while the Trump administration has imposed sanctions on ICC personnel amid its opposition to the court.

According to Danon, Netanyahu will land in New York late on September 23, deliver his address to the General Assembly on the afternoon of September 24, and depart for Israel that same night.

The unusually brief visit comes as the annual gathering of representatives from the U.N.’s 193 member states coincides with the Jewish holiday period and an Israeli election campaign in which Netanyahu is seeking to remain prime minister.

Danon also predicted demonstrations surrounding Netanyahu’s appearance, warning that protests would “create more chaos” on New York City streets during the General Assembly’s high-level week, which runs from September 22 through September 28.

Netanyahu’s address last year was met with a large-scale walkout by delegations as he took the podium in the General Assembly hall. Danon said he anticipates another highly visible protest this time around, saying, “I expect that there will be something like another show.”

Still, Danon said the anticipated demonstrations and disruptions would not prevent Netanyahu from delivering his message to the international body.

The Israeli leader is accustomed to such scenes, Danon said, “and I’m sure he will deliver his speech despite those attempts.”

{Matzav.com}