Netanyahu's planned UN visit draws arrest calls and protest warnings
Netanyahu is scheduled to deliver his address on the afternoon of 24 September. His planned visit comes amid an ongoing election campaign in Israel, Jewish holidays and expectations of street protests in New York
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to make a 24-hour trip to New York later this month to address the United Nations General Assembly, arriving late on 23 September and returning to Israel on the night of 24 September, according to the report.
Netanyahu is scheduled to deliver his address on the afternoon of 24 September. His planned visit comes amid an ongoing election campaign in Israel, Jewish holidays and expectations of street protests in New York, says Arab News.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has called Netanyahu a "war criminal" and urged his arrest, citing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in November 2024.
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The ICC warrant accuses Netanyahu of crimes against humanity and using "starvation as a weapon of warfare" in Gaza. Israel rejects the allegations.
New York City does not have legal authority to execute an ICC arrest warrant, prompting Mamdani to call on the US federal government to take action. Neither the United States nor Israel is a member of the ICC.
Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon rejected Mamdani's call, accusing the mayor of "doing politics" and saying Netanyahu's attendance at the UN was necessary.
"For us, it's important the prime minister will come," Danon said, adding that "there is no option" when explaining why Netanyahu must make the trip.
"You know, it became very trendy to do politics by blaming Israel," Danon said.
The planned visit is expected to coincide with demonstrations in New York, with Danon warning that protests could "create more chaos".
Past speeches by Israeli leaders at the UN have drawn protests and delegate walkouts, and similar disruptions are expected during Netanyahu's address.
"I expect that there will be something like another show," Danon said.
"...and I'm sure he will deliver his speech despite those attempts," he added.
The planned trip comes as Netanyahu's government faces continued international scrutiny over Israel's military campaign in Gaza and the ICC warrant against the prime minister.
