Mamdani says he will not join demonstrations against Netanyahu during New York visit

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated he has no plans to join protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his upcoming UN visit. Mamdani said he has been in contact with the NYPD and that there are no expected threats. He clarified he is not encouraging New Yorkers to protest but respects their right to do so. Mamdani previously said Netanyahu is not welcome in New York and that the city lacks authority to execute an ICC arrest warrant against him.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated he has no plans to join demonstrations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during Netanyahu's upcoming visit for the UN General Assembly. Responding to reporters' questions, Mamdani said he had been in contact with the New York Police Department and that "right now, there are no expected threats that we know of." He clarified he is not encouraging New Yorkers to protest but respects their constitutional right to do so. Mamdani has previously made his positions on Netanyahu clear: during his campaign and after taking office, he examined whether the city had authority to act on the ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu, concluding in July that New York City lacked that authority. He also stated that Netanyahu is not welcome in New York and that, unlike previous mayors, he would not personally greet him. Asked about a planned prayer vigil by Jewish school students outside his official residence, Mamdani welcomed them but said he would likely be elsewhere in the city at that time.