"Yes, I will go to New York," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an online interview on 3/12.

Asked if he would speak with New York's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, Netanyahu responded that a meeting could happen "if he changes his mind and says we have the right to exist."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his office in Jerusalem on 22/10. Photo: AFP

Mamdani, who takes office next month, will be the first Muslim and South Asian to hold a leadership position in the most populous city in the US. The politician has often expressed support for Israel's right to exist, but has refused to acknowledge Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state.

Mamdani stated he would direct New York police to arrest leaders under International Criminal Court (ICC) warrants, such as Netanyahu or Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Last year, the ICC announced it had reasonable grounds to believe Prime Minister Netanyahu was responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip conflict. Israel rejects these accusations.

Despite Mamdani's statement, arresting Prime Minister Netanyahu is considered not feasible, and there is still a dispute over whether the mayor-elect has jurisdiction. President Donald Trump's administration also staunchly defended Israel and imposed sanctions on ICC judges and prosecutors.

New York hosts the largest Jewish community outside Israel and is also home to the United Nations headquarters, where Netanyahu regularly attends the annual General Assembly meetings.

Under its host country agreement, the US is obligated to grant visas to individuals attending official United Nations business. However, the Trump administration in September refused entry to Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas.

Huyen Le (According to AFP)