Netanyahu coming to NYC, where Mamdani once vowed to arrest him for war crimes

Key Points:

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to deliver a speech at the U.N. General Assembly in Manhattan on Thursday, intensifying tensions with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has called Netanyahu a "war criminal" and previously threatened to arrest him on an International Criminal Court warrant.
• Mamdani reaffirmed his stance in a recent CNN interview, emphasizing the importance of accountability for Netanyahu's alleged war crimes, while Netanyahu responded with a video accusing Mamdani of supporting Hamas and inciting riots against Jewish New Yorkers.
• The NYPD anticipates protests near the U.N. during the General Assembly, but Mamdani has stated he will not attend these protests, advocating for peaceful demonstrations and balancing public safety with political expression.
• Mamdani's pro-Palestinian activism has been a significant factor in his election and popularity, though it has drawn criticism from Jewish leaders, especially following recent violence in the city and his continued harsh rhetoric against Netanyahu.
• Historical precedent exists for mayoral clashes with foreign leaders during the U.N. General Assembly, such as Mayor Rudy Giuliani's 1995 confrontation with PLO chair Yasir Arafat, which drew criticism from the Clinton administration.