Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he intends to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September, dismissing calls for his arrest made by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
“I’m not concerned, and I certainly intend to do so,” Netanyahu told Fox News when asked about attending the annual gathering.
He said he had participated in the UN General Assembly almost every year during his time in office, except when security conditions prevented him from travelling.
Netanyahu’s remarks came after Mamdani described the Israeli leader as a “war criminal” and said he was not welcome in New York. Mamdani has also called on the United States to join the International Criminal Court (ICC) and enforce the court’s arrest warrants against Netanyahu.
US President Donald Trump has said Netanyahu “will not be arrested” while visiting the United States.
The ICC issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the conflict in Gaza. Israel rejects the allegations and disputes the court’s jurisdiction.