New York City Mayor Eric Adams has reiterated his intention to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the UN General Assembly in September, despite previous controversy surrounding the pledge. Adams stated he is conducting discussions with the city’s legal department to determine what authority he possesses to detain Netanyahu, should the opportunity arise. The mayor has characterised Netanyahu as a “war criminal”, signalling his administration’s willingness to pursue the arrest if legally permissible.

The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between the Israeli government and the New York mayor’s office. Adams previously declared his intention to arrest Netanyahu if he set foot in the city, citing alleged war crimes committed during Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The statement sparked significant diplomatic controversy and raised questions about the extent of mayoral authority in such matters, particularly given diplomatic immunity considerations and federal jurisdiction over such affairs.

Netanyahu responded to Adams’ latest comments this week, claiming the mayor “secretly hates America”, escalating the war of words between the two officials. The Israeli Prime Minister has previously dismissed such threats as politically motivated posturing. The dispute highlights the deep divisions over Israel’s conduct in the Gaza conflict that have emerged within American political circles, particularly in cities with large populations of pro-Palestinian activists.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.