Netanyahu Plans UN Visit After ICC Prosecutor's Dismissal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his intention to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York this September, following the dismissal of International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan. A vote of 82 out of 125 UN members on Friday removed Khan from his position due to serious misconduct and allegations of sexual harassment.

Netanyahu described Khan as a con job and claimed that the prosecutor's 2024 push for war crimes charges against Israeli officials was an attempt to distract from his own alleged crimes. Despite the removal of the top prosecutor, the ICC continues to pursue arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, with Deputy Prosecutor Shameen Khan maintaining the prosecution's direction.

The planned visit has sparked a confrontation with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who labeled Netanyahu a war criminal and asserted he is not welcome in the city. Netanyahu accused Mamdani of fomenting hate and aligning with Hamas murderers. While Mamdani urged federal authorities to execute the ICC warrant, Donald Trump assured Netanyahu that he would not be arrested while in the United States. The dispute occurs as Netanyahu travels to Washington to meet Trump and attend the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham.