Netanyahu Pushes Ahead with Visit to New York for UN General Assembly

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on the 26th (local time) that he will visit New York to address the UN General Assembly, despite opposition from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Prime Minister Netanyahu criticized Mayor Mamdani for dividing New Yorkers and fostering hate.

US President Donald Trump stated that, regardless of the ICC's decision, Prime Minister Netanyahu would not be arrested in the United States in any manner. As the US is not a party to the ICC, it has no legal obligation to execute arrest warrants issued by the court.

Meanwhile, the Israeli government has maintained that the war in Gaza is a legitimate exercise of self-defense in response to Hamas' surprise attack on October 7, 2023. During that attack, Hamas killed approximately 1,200 people and abducted around 250 hostages. Health authorities in Gaza report that Israeli military operations have destroyed most of the Gaza Strip, resulting in over 73,000 fatalities.