Israel's Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis, and UN Ambassador Danny Danon dismissed Saturday evening the threat by New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani to work for the arrest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Akunis said Mamdani has no authority to order Netanyahu's arrest and should focus on managing the city. Danon said Mamdani failed in managing New York and chose incitement over fighting antisemitism, adding that if anyone should be arrested, it is Mamdani.
Israel's Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis, and UN Ambassador Danny Danon issued a joint statement Saturday evening rejecting New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's claim that he would work to bring about the arrest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Akunis said Mamdani has no authority to order Netanyahu's arrest and should focus on managing the city. Danon went further, saying Mamdani failed in managing New York and chose incitement over fighting antisemitism, and that if anyone should be arrested, it is Mamdani.
The response came 17 minutes after The Zioneer reported that Mamdani called Netanyahu a 'war criminal' and vowed to work for his arrest during a Saturday evening interview. Earlier Saturday, Danon had already called for Mamdani's arrest in a separate statement, saying the mayoral candidate failed in managing the city. The exchange is part of an ongoing war of words between Israeli officials and Mamdani, who has previously questioned Israel's legitimacy as a Jewish state and called for the arrest of Netanyahu. The Zioneer has also reported on earlier statements by Akunis warning that Mamdani's incitement could lead to violence.
It remains unclear whether Mamdani will respond to the latest Israeli statements.
3 developments
- DevelopingIsrael's UN envoy Danon: Mamdani failed in managing New York, Netanyahu will address UN General Assembly
- StrongUS Ambassador to UN calls Mamdani arrest threat to Netanyahu 'pure political theater'
- StrongNYC Mayor Mamdani: Netanyahu is a 'war criminal,' should be in The Hague — but no new laws
- StrongIsrael's UN envoy Danon launches blistering attack on NYC mayoral candidate Mamdani at Security Council
Source and signal
- Internal intake