US Ambassador Responds to Mayor’s Arrest Threat Against Netanyahu

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Walz, commented on Saturday regarding New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s claim that he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the United Nations General Assembly. Walz described the threat as “pure political theater.”

“Mayor Mamdani, here’s why your threat won’t happen: the United States is not involved with the Rome Statute, which underpins the International Criminal Court. Diplomatic protection is guaranteed by the United Nations Headquarters Agreement for heads of government who are visiting. Simply put, federal authority takes precedence over any local mayor’s agenda,” the ambassador explained.

The General Assembly is set for early September.

In response to Mamdani’s remarks, Danny Danon, Israel’s UN ambassador, remarked, “If anyone is going to be arrested, it should be Mayor Mamdani.” He accused Mamdani of neglecting his responsibilities by not addressing the rise in anti-Semitism in New York, instead choosing to create conflict by targeting Israel.

Danon stated, “This doesn’t change the fact that Prime Minister Netanyahu will come to New York, proudly speak at the UN General Assembly, and affirm Israel’s right to defend itself.”

Mark Trager, the CEO of JCRC-NY, added that the mayor’s focus should be on local issues. “New Yorkers elected a mayor to enhance the city’s safety and affordability, not to assert foreign policy. The focus should be on raising salaries for essential city workers like paraprofessionals and EMTs, whose needs are directly tied to the city’s responsibilities,” he argued.