Netanyahu Confirms UN Visit Despite Arrest Warrant

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on July 26, 2026, that he will travel to New York City to address the United Nations, moving ahead with the trip despite an active International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant and public opposition from Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Netanyahu framed the visit as an opportunity to strengthen the Israeli-American alliance. His announcement comes as diplomatic and political tensions around the ICC process continue to follow him internationally.

ICC warrant and the Gaza allegations

The ICC issued warrants in November 2024 for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza, according to the details cited in the announcement. Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected the court’s authority.

In his latest remarks, the prime minister again dismissed the ICC process and portrayed domestic criticism as politically motivated. He has not indicated any change in his position ahead of the UN appearance.

New York political pushback and legal limits

The immediate political flashpoint around the trip has centered on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani had previously said Netanyahu should be arrested upon arrival, a statement Netanyahu sharply criticized.

Mamdani later clarified that the city does not have the legal jurisdiction to carry out an ICC warrant. Even with that clarification, the episode has kept the controversy in public view as the visit approaches.

Polling points to a shifting US mood

Officials and observers have pointed to recent polling as a sign of changing sentiment in the United States. Data from the -NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research found that 60 percent of US Jewish adults view Netanyahu unfavourably.

The same polling cited in the briefing indicates that 46 percent of the overall US public supports his arrest. The figures were referenced as part of the wider debate over how Netanyahu is viewed by parts of the American electorate.

Broader backdrop: instability and US support debates

Netanyahu’s UN trip is set against heightened regional instability, alongside continuing domestic debate in the United States about military support for Israel. The timing has added to the political sensitivity surrounding the visit.

While Netanyahu has cast the trip as a diplomatic effort to reinforce ties with Washington, the combination of the ICC warrant, local political opposition in New York, and polling data has underscored the uncertainty around public and political reactions during his stay.