Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, told i24NEWS that New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani 'failed in managing New York' and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to New York in September to address the UN General Assembly. Danon's remarks follow Mamdani's statement that he would use his authority to promote Netanyahu's arrest during the visit, according to the report.
In an interview with i24NEWS on Saturday, Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to New York in September to address the UN General Assembly, and accused Mayor Zohran Mamdani of failing to manage the city. Danon's remarks are the latest in a rapid-fire exchange that began earlier in the day, when Mamdani said he would use his authority to promote Netanyahu's arrest, adding that 'his place is in The Hague.' The confirmation of Netanyahu's speech comes after hours of escalating war of words between Israeli officials and the New York mayor.
The thread opened at 13:43 Jerusalem, when The Zioneer reported an unverified claim by Mamdani that discussions were underway to arrange Netanyahu's arrest. Within minutes, a follow-up report showed Mamdani clarifying that he was examining the legal authority to do so and calling Netanyahu a 'war criminal.' The story was corroborated when Mamdani told The New York Times that he would arrest the prime minister if local law permits. Israeli officials responded swiftly: Consul General Ofir Akunis said Mamdani has no authority to order the arrest, and Danon called for Mamdani's arrest, accusing him of incitement and failing to combat rising antisemitism. By the most recent thread item, Mamdani stated he may order the arrest.
As The Zioneer reported earlier on Saturday, Danon had already called for Mamdani's arrest, stating that if anyone should be arrested, it is the mayor. The exchange fits a broader pattern of tension between Israeli leaders and the progressive Democrat, who has drawn sharp criticism since announcing his candidacy.
Netanyahu's office has not commented on the arrest threat. The legal basis for a local mayor to detain a visiting foreign head of state remains untested, and the Israeli delegation is expected to coordinate with U.S. authorities ahead of the visit.
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