Diplomatic Clash in New York: Israel Responds Sharply to Mayor Over Netanyahu Arrest Threats

Tensions surrounding the upcoming visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to New York for the annual UN General Assembly session have escalated into a diplomatic scandal. Netanyahu's office reacted sharply to statements made by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who did not rule out the possibility of enforcing arrest warrants against the Israeli leader.

In an interview with the New York Times, Mamdani, representing the left wing of the Democratic Party, stated directly that "Netanyahu's place is in The Hague," labeling him a war criminal. The mayor added that he would take all actions permitted by law and shared that he is conducting discussions with city authorities regarding the powers to detain a foreign head of state.

The response from the Israeli side is categorical. The Prime Minister's office accused Mamdani of attempting to divert attention from New York's internal issues and attacking "the only democracy in the Middle East." In a post on the social network X, Netanyahu's representatives also threw criticism at the International Criminal Court (ICC), describing it as an institution without real jurisdiction over Israeli citizens.

The conflict intensifies against the backdrop of arrest warrants issued by the ICC against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Israel's UN Ambassador, Danny Danon, also joined the dispute, accusing the mayor of inciting hostility and pursuing media attention through attacks against the State of Israel.

Despite the threats, Israeli diplomacy emphasizes that Netanyahu will visit New York and present his country's position to the international community, defending Israel's right to protect its citizens.