Netanyahu to attend UN General Assembly in New York despite mayor's threats

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed his intention to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York this September, despite threats from city mayor Zohran Mamdani to arrest him—a stance the mayor later retracted.

Mamdani had threatened last week to detain Netanyahu under an International Criminal Court warrant, before admitting he lacked the legal authority to do so.

In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Netanyahu said he was "not concerned" by Mamdani’s earlier pledge, accusing the mayor of "inciting hatred." He added that the mayor should represent all city residents of different faiths, but instead, "is trying to pit one group against another."

Stabbing incidents raise community concerns

Netanyahu also referenced two stabbing attacks that occurred in New York last Thursday, in which two men—one Jewish and one Asian—were assaulted just a few blocks apart. New York police claimed the suspect shouted "Allahu Akbar" during the attack and now faces hate crime charges.

Both men survived the attacks, which drew strong condemnation from leaders of the city’s Jewish and Asian American communities. Netanyahu expressed concern, saying Jewish residents of New York are "now afraid."