Mayor Adams said Thursday he plans to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York next week, and slammed mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani’s campaign promise to arrest him.
The meeting, during next week’s United Nations General Assembly, underscores the difference between Adams and Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, who continues to say that as mayor he’d direct the New York Police Department to arrest Netanyahu on an international warrant.
Adams, who is pursuing a long-shot bid for re-election, has long been a strong supporter of Israel. While Israel is a strong ally of the United States, Netanyahu has drawn international ire for Israel’s continuing military campaign in Gaza, now approaching two years since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. Israel this week mounted a new ground offense on Gaza City.
“There’s several heads of states I’m going to meet with,” Adams said at a press conference Thursday morning. “I’m looking forward to meeting with the Prime Minister Netanyahu when he arrives in the city as well, he will be welcomed like our other dignitaries.”
The two leaders previously met in 2023, when the mayor traveled to Israel. Netanyahu is also reportedly slated to meet with Trump next week.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on the second day of a 3-day visit to Israel on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. (Michael Appleton / Mayoral Photography Office)
Mamdani, who has been sharply critical of Israel and has come under fire for refusing to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada,” has pledged that were Netanyahu come to New York when he was mayor, he would honor a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for the leader’s arrest. A United Nations commission this week called Israel’s campaign in Gaza genocide.
The United States does not recognize the authority of the ICC.
“You have a right to come here and voice the positions from your country,” Adams said of his opponent’s plan on Thursday. “And we respect the rule of law here. We don’t react in a reckless manner of stating that we’re going to arrest a dignitary that’s here.”
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, also running as an independent, is also a strong supporter of Israel though he has said in recent days that he believes the war in Gaza should end.
Kayla Mamelak, the mayor’s press secretary, declined to share when the meeting is or which other leaders Adams plans to meet with, saying his daily public schedule will reflect the meetings next week.