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(NewsNation) — After New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani floated the idea of arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a visit this fall, the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations said the stunt is to distract from the mayor’s failures.
Mamdani made these comments in an interview with Lulu Garcia-Navarro on Saturday’s episode of The New York Times’ “The Interview” podcast.
Danny Danon said there’s no basis for Mamdani’s remarks.
“He wants to distract the conversation from his failures in running the city and putting the blame on Israel,” he told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” on Monday.
Danon, who has been in politics for decades, added that Netanyahu has been in the public eye.
“We know when you need to get attention, you find a way to do it. And that’s exactly what Mayor Zohran Mamdani is doing,” the ambassador noted.
Mamdani should be arrested for supporting terrorism: Danon
Mamdani, who has characterized the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza as a genocide, also told the Times during his mayoral campaign last year that he would order the city’s police department to arrest the country’s leader.
The International Criminal Court issued a warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest in 2024 for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Palestine, including “starvation as a method of warfare” and “other inhumane acts.” Netanyahu brushed off the threat in a recent radio interview, accusing the mayor of supporting Hamas. Mamdani has denied this accusation.
Danon, however, called for Mamdani to be arrested for supporting terrorism.
“A few days ago, he sent his commissioner to the U.N. to meet with the Iranian representative,” Danon stated, “While the U.S. soldiers are fighting the regime in Tehran, the mayor wanted to have a dialogue with this regime. And a few weeks ago, he actually called a terrorist that we eliminated a journalist, an innocent journalist. The mayor is instigating, is promoting antisemitism.”
No concerns with Netanyahu visiting NYC: Danon
World leaders from United Nations member-states are expected to travel to New York City in September for the body’s annual session. Netanyahu has often participated in this event in years past.
“We have zero concerns,” Danon said about the upcoming visit. “We know the facts. We know the legal situation where we are standing. And we know it’s a stunt.”
President Donald Trump also said Netanyahu “will not be arrested” in the U.S. despite Mamdani’s comments.
“Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “He is fighting against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which recently killed 52,000 innocent protestors, and has spent the last 47 years killing American Soldiers, and others.”
The Hill contributed to this report.
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