Netanyahu to Address UN General Assembly Amid Arrest Calls

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to New York to address the UN General Assembly on September 24, despite calls for his arrest. The visit, described as brief, will last approximately 24 hours, with Netanyahu arriving late on September 23 and departing the following night. The controversy stems from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who initially labeled Netanyahu a "war criminal" and urged his arrest via an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. Mamdani later retracted his call to city authorities, acknowledging their lack of jurisdiction over ICC warrants, but continued to press U.S. federal authorities. Israel's UN envoy, Danny Danon, criticized Mamdani's actions as political maneuvering, emphasizing the importance of Netanyahu's presence at the assembly. Danon anticipates a repeat of last year's events, where many delegations walked out during Netanyahu's speech, and expects "another show" this year, though he affirmed Netanyahu would speak despite expected disruptions. The visit coincides with the UN General Assembly's high-level week, Jewish holidays, and Israel's election campaign, potentially amplifying protests in New York. The core of the international dispute is an ICC arrest warrant issued in November 2024, alleging Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant bear responsibility for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza. Israel denies these accusations. Neither Israel nor the U.S. are signatories to the ICC's Rome Statute, and the Trump administration had previously imposed sanctions on ICC officials, opposing its actions against Israel. Netanyahu's trip is thus framed as more than a routine address, with the Israeli leader intending to appear at the UN podium in a city whose mayor recently called for his arrest, despite anticipated protests and diplomatic actions.