The Prime Minister of Israel Netanyahu, has repeated that he still plans to visit New York City, even after the city’s mayor said he would follow an international court order to arrest him. The visit could happen soon after the new mayor takes office, adding to global attention on the issue.
In a virtual interview, the Prime Minister Netanyahu again said, “Yes, I’ll come to New York.” He had made this commitment earlier, before the mayor won the election, and his new comments show he does not plan to change course despite continued criticism.
The dispute centres on an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which says it has grounds to believe the Prime Minister Netanyahu was responsible for crimes connected to the Gaza conflict that began after the October 7, 2023, attack. The Prime Minister and his government strongly deny the accusations.
The mayor has said he would instruct the New York Police Department to enforce any ICC warrants, including those related to the Prime Minister Netanyahu. This stance led to a sharp clash between the two leaders.
Experts, however, note that it is unclear whether a city mayor has the authority to act on international court orders. In the United States, foreign affairs and international law enforcement fall under the federal government, not local officials.
Debate Over Recognition and Rights
During the interview, the Prime Minister Netanyahu was asked if he would speak with the mayor-elect. He said he would only do so if the new mayor recognized his country as a state meant for a specific religious group. The mayor-elect has said he supports the country’s right to exist but does not agree with defining it by religion, saying citizenship should not depend on faith.
This disagreement has sparked debate in New York and beyond. The city has one of the largest Jewish populations outside Israel and hosts the United Nations, where the Prime Minister often appears.
The mayor-elect previously faced questions about certain protest slogans and comments. After criticism, he clarified that he does not support violent or extremist messages and later backed the disarmament of groups involved in attacks, a position he had not stated earlier.
Prime Minister Netanyahu Addresses Age, Support and Goals
The Prime Minister Netanyahu also spoke about his age and leadership. At 76, he is his country’s longest-serving leader and has faced health issues, but he refused to say when he might retire. He said he measures his work by missions, not by age.
He insisted he still has strong public support, even though many polls show his political alliance struggling to hold a majority ahead of the next election. He said global reporting often differs from the support he feels at home and noted that he continues to win elections because people trust his leadership.
He highlighted two major goals: pushing forward technology, especially artificial intelligence, and expanding peace agreements with other countries, including those in regions that have seen past tensions. He said earlier agreements with several Arab nations show that unexpected diplomatic progress is possible.
Abigail Jackson defends ICE video after Sabrina Carpenter denounces use of her song
Criminal Trial and Controversy Around Pardon Request
A major part of the interview focused on the Prime Minister Netanyahu’s ongoing criminal trial. He faces charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust, which he says are false and intended to remove him from office.
He recently asked his country’s president for a pardon. He said the request was not an admission of guilt but an attempt to end a long and distracting process so he could focus on national duties. Critics argue that receiving a pardon without admitting wrongdoing could harm the legal system, and legal experts remain split on what such a request implies.
The Prime Minister Netanyahu insisted the case against him has collapsed and denied that seeking a pardon means accepting the accusations. He also refused to share details about a recent call with the President of the United States, who has publicly supported the idea of him being pardoned.
He repeated that he plans to continue his work and has no intention of stepping aside.
