Netanyahu plans to visit New York City amid ICC arrest threats

Netanyahu to visit New York City amid ICC arrest threats

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that he will visit New York City despite Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s threats to arrest him under an International Criminal Court warrant. He stated the pledge in a virtual interview with The New York Times DealBook forum. The pledge was first made in July, before Mamdani was elected mayor four months later.

Asked about speaking to Mamdani, Netanyahu said, 'If he changes his mind and says that we have the right to exist, that’ll be a good opening for a conversation'. The remark framed the potential quality of talks if policies change.

Mamdani’s background and positions

Mamdani is a democratic socialist who will be New York’s first Muslim and first South Asian mayor. He has said he supports Israel’s right to exist but has balked at saying Israel has the right to be a Jewish state.

Mamdani declined at first to condemn slogans such as 'globalize the intifada' or to call for the disarmament of Hamas. He reversed himself on both points following significant backlash.

ICC warrants and enforcement pledges

Mamdani has vowed to send the New York Police Department to enforce arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against leaders wanted by the ICC, including Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin. The ICC had reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu was responsible for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Israel’s war against Hamas following the October 7, 2023 attack.

Arrest likelihood and governance considerations

An arrest of Netanyahu is considered unlikely. It is debatable whether Mamdani would have the authority to act on warrants once he becomes mayor in January.

The federal government handles immigration. The administration of President Donald Trump has vigorously defended Israel, including sanctions against ICC judges and prosecutors.

Outlook, priorities, and political context

Netanyahu said his two priorities moving forward were technological innovation, including AI, and a broader peace. He said there would be another revolution coming in technology, and that he intended to steer it along with achieving a broader peace.

Netanyahu claimed that he is supported by a great majority of the people in the country. He said this despite polls suggesting his coalition may not retain a majority.

Legal proceedings and pardons

Asked about his ongoing criminal trial for fraud, bribery and breach of trust, Netanyahu called the charges 'bogus'.

Netanyahu formally requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog in his trial, saying he has done nothing wrong and seeking relief from the lengthy proceedings. He did not detail what he and US President Donald Trump discussed regarding the trial in a recent phone call. Trump has repeatedly called for Netanyahu to be pardoned.

Saudi normalization and regional diplomacy

Asked about normalization with Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu said progress could be achieved and that peace accords could be signed with multiple countries, including Islamic states outside the region. He noted the Abraham Accords as a framework for potential deals.