Nicolai Haugsted
Israel’s ambassador makes explosive accusation against Zohran Mamdani ahead of Netanyahu’s New York visit
New York is preparing for its annual diplomatic traffic jam as world leaders descend on Manhattan for the United Nations General Assembly. Yet one of the loudest disputes ahead of next week’s gathering has little to do with anything happening inside the UN chamber.
A months-long clash involving New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has now escalated considerably, with Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, saying Mamdani himself should be arrested.
Danon made the extraordinary accusation Thursday while responding to the mayor’s previous calls for the US government to act on the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu.
Danon turns the arrest argument around
Mamdani has repeatedly criticized Netanyahu and previously argued that the federal government should enforce the ICC warrant when the Israeli leader visits New York.
Danon responded by effectively turning the mayor’s argument back on him.
“If someone should be arrested, it’s Mayor Mamdani for inciting, for actually collaborating with the enemy of the United States,” Danon told reporters Thursday, including Digi24.
The ambassador pointed to a proposed meeting earlier this year between members of Mamdani’s administration and Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani.
That episode requires an important qualification.
New York City’s international affairs commissioner, Ana María Archila, had arranged a meeting with Iravani, but the meeting never happened. Mamdani subsequently said he had not known about the plan beforehand and described the arrangement as having been “made in error.”
No evidence cited by Danon on Thursday established that Mamdani personally collaborated with Iran. His remarks amounted to an accusation by the Israeli ambassador, rather than a finding by US authorities.
Mamdani has his own target
Netanyahu, meanwhile, is expected to arrive in New York on September 23 before addressing the General Assembly the following afternoon and returning to Israel that night.
Mamdani has previously described Netanyahu as unwelcome in New York and urged Washington to act on the ICC warrant issued against the Israeli prime minister in November 2024.
The court accused Netanyahu and former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant of war crimes and crimes against humanity connected to the Gaza war. Israel rejects the ICC’s allegations and jurisdiction.
New York City itself does not have the legal authority to execute the ICC warrant. Neither the United States nor Israel is a member of the court, and the Trump administration has sanctioned ICC officials while opposing its actions against Israeli leaders.
Protests add another layer to the feud
Netanyahu’s arrival is also expected to bring demonstrations onto the streets of New York.
Mamdani said Wednesday that he does not intend to participate personally in protests during the General Assembly. He has nevertheless defended New Yorkers’ right to demonstrate.
Danon argues that the mayor has gone considerably further than merely recognizing that right.
“Netanyahu will proudly address the General Assembly despite the threats, incitement and anti-Semitic rhetoric we heard from the mayor,” Danon said Thursday.
The Israeli diplomat also accused Mamdani of encouraging demonstrations when he should instead be concentrating on keeping the city running smoothly during one of Manhattan’s most demanding weeks.
“He is urging people to protest against our prime minister,” Danon said, according to EFE.
Mamdani, for his part, said Wednesday that he had “never encouraged” New Yorkers to protest and confirmed that he would not attend a demonstration himself.
Netanyahu is still coming
Any hope that the political hostility might persuade Netanyahu to skip New York appears misplaced.
Danon said earlier this month that the Israeli leader intends to make a rapid trip specifically to address the General Assembly, despite Mamdani’s position. Netanyahu is expected to spend roughly 24 hours in New York.
Security preparations are already substantial. New York authorities say at least 55 UN-related events have received permits, while the NYPD, FBI, Secret Service and UN security personnel are preparing for the influx of foreign leaders and demonstrators.
Netanyahu’s speech is scheduled for September 24.
By then, New York will simultaneously be hosting the Israeli prime minister, policing protests against him and dealing with a diplomatic feud in which both sides have now spent months talking about who ought to be arrested.
