Adams welcomes Netanyahu at UNGA as Mamdani vows to arrest him if elected

At the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams greeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a handshake and photos after Netanyahu spoke at the gathering. Adams attended the morning session and even rearranged his public schedule to be present for Netanyahu's appearance, becoming the first sitting New York mayor to meet Netanyahu one on one since Michael Bloomberg in 2012. The mayor's office released images showing Adams with Netanyahu and his wife Sara, illustrating a moment of diplomatic photo opportunities amid the high profile event. Officials said Adams used the encounter to thank Netanyahu for defending the western world and the citys way of life.

The meeting contrasted with ongoing criticism from Zohran Mamdani, a Queens-based state assemblyman and Democratic mayoral candidate who has repeatedly targeted Netanyahu. Mamdani has pledged that if he is elected mayor he would seek to arrest Netanyahu should the Israeli leader visit New York, citing a long standing dispute over Israel and the Gaza conflict. Mamdani noted that the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Gaza operation, a stance the United States does not recognize. He argued that the city should reflect its values by advocating for human rights for all people, including Palestinians, and by pursuing a path toward peace and justice. At a Friday afternoon press conference, Mamdani said Adams's show of gratitude toward Netanyahu could be offensive to New Yorkers, emphasizing that the citys duty is to address civilian harm and uphold universal rights rather than to frame defense of Western life as a justification for violence.

Netanyahu was among several world leaders who spoke during the week at the 80th UN General Assembly as the Gaza conflict remained a central and contentious issue for many delegations. The UN gathering this year has highlighted sharp differences over how to address humanitarian concerns, international law, and the balance between national security and civil rights. Adams decided overnight to attend Friday mornings session, maximizing the opportunity to engage with Netanyahu in a high level, public setting while signaling the citys openness to dialogue with world leaders regardless of domestic disagreements.

Mamdani used the afternoon to reiterate his criticisms, arguing that while a mayor cannot end the violence in Gaza, city leaders should articulate a commitment to human rights for all people and seek peaceful solutions. He repeated his pledge to use the NYPD to deter a visit by Netanyahu if he wins the mayoral race, framing the issue as a test of New Yorks dedication to justice rather than a matter of foreign policy. The ICCs warrant against Netanyahu has been a focal point in his critique, even as the U.S. government maintains that it does not recognize the ICCs authority in this matter. The situation underscores the broader debate within the citys Democratic circles over appropriate responses to the Israel-Gaza conflict and the role of local government in international questions.

Adams later described his UNGA appearance as part of a longstanding city policy of welcoming diverse viewpoints and leaders from around the world. He emphasized the importance of free speech and open dialogue in a city with a large and varied constituency, while noting that disagreements over foreign policy do not preclude onetime conversations with world leaders. The dynamic inside New Yorks political arena regarding Israel, Gaza, and international law continues to unfold ahead of upcoming local elections, with candidates positioning themselves on questions of human rights, law, and security for residents in all five boroughs.