Sa’ar rejects extremist mayor’s threats, affirming Netanyahu’s visit despite anti-Israel rhetoric rooted in political hostility.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar firmly dismissed threats issued by New York City’s incoming mayor Zohran Mamdani, who publicly vowed to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he sets foot in the city—an act rooted in Mamdani’s outspoken alignment with anti-Israel activism.
Speaking to the New York Post from Midtown Manhattan, Sa’ar made it clear that such rhetoric is irrelevant to Israel’s leadership or its diplomatic schedule.
“I don’t want to enter a legal debate with the elected mayor of New York,” Sa’ar said. “But I will repeat exactly what the prime minister has stated himself: he will come to New York.”
Mamdani, known for accusing Israel of “war crimes” while overlooking Hamas’ atrocities, threatened to act on the International Criminal Court’s politically charged arrest warrant—a move immediately shut down by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who clarified that the mayor has zero legal authority to attempt such an arrest.
“No, I do not—and the New York City mayor has not had the power to do that,” Hochul emphasized, reinforcing that foreign policy and international legal enforcement are not municipal matters.
Despite the mayor-elect’s inflammatory statements, Sa’ar extended a diplomatic but skeptical note of restraint.
“I hope that we may have constructive dialogue in the future,” he said, “even though I remain skeptical.”
Sa’ar’s message was unmistakable: Israel will not bend to radical theatrics, especially from politicians who elevate anti-Israel narratives while ignoring Hamas’ terrorism, civilian atrocities, and regional destabilization.
Netanyahu’s visit, he underscored, will proceed exactly as planned.
