Mamdani says he won’t join anti-Netanyahu protests at UNGA

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Wednesday that he has no plans to join protests against ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the ‘Israeli’ leader’s upcoming visit for the United Nations General Assembly.

“I do not have any plans to attend any protest at the UN General Assembly,” Mamdani told reporters. 

He emphasized that his focus during the high-level week would be on city operations and public safety.

Mamdani also pushed back against characterizations that he had urged New Yorkers to demonstrate.

“To New Yorkers, I have never encouraged them to protest,” he said.

“What I have always told them is that they have the right to do so in the city. We respect that right. And this is a city that is proud of the Constitution, proud of the First Amendment, we’ll continue to do so.”

The comments mark a notable shift in tone from July, when the mayor repeatedly highlighted protest as a core New York value after acknowledging that the city lacked authority to enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Netanyahu.

At the time, he described Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and the “architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people,” and stated: “If anyone feels a level of frustration or opposition, protest is something that we will always respect. I leave it to New Yorkers themselves to make that decision.”

He also declared he would not welcome “Benjamin Netanyahu or any other war criminals” to the city.

Netanyahu is scheduled to arrive in New York on September 23 and address the General Assembly the following day.

Anti-‘Israel’ groups, including the Palestinian Youth Movement, have announced demonstrations, while Jewish organizations plan a rally against antisemitism near the United Nations.

Mamdani, a longtime critic of ‘Israel’s’ actions in Gaza who has called the campaign a genocide and opposed US aid, has participated in other protests as mayor but will stay away from these.

On security preparations, Mamdani said he had been in contact with the New York Police Department.

“Right now, there are no expected threats that we know of, and we continue to be confident in being able to deliver safety and security for New Yorkers,” he stated.
He added that his priority is keeping the city prepared to host world leaders.

Asked why he would not join the demonstrations given his past criticism,

Mamdani replied that he had already made his views clear: “I have made very clear about my views, my thoughts, my assessments.”