Netanyahu's Official Jet To Avoid JFK as Mamdani Renews Call To Honour ICC Arrest Warrant

Benjamin Netanyahu's official aircraft is expected to avoid New York's JFK Airport for his United Nations visit, as Mayor Zohran Mamdani renewed his call for the Israeli prime minister's International Criminal Court arrest warrant to be honoured.

Israeli security officials have decided that the state aircraft, known as the 'Wing of Zion', will not use John F. Kennedy International Airport for the trip, Ynet reported.

Officials are considering Newark Liberty International Airport or a military airfield in New Jersey, amid concerns that Mamdani could seek to prevent the aircraft from remaining parked at JFK throughout Netanyahu's visit.

The report did not establish that Mamdani had taken steps to interfere with the aircraft or explain what legal mechanism he could use.

Mamdani Says ICC Warrant Should Be 'Honoured'

The reported security change comes as Mamdani again criticised Netanyahu ahead of his arrival in New York.

Speaking to CNN on Monday, the mayor said he believed the ICC warrant issued against Netanyahu should be respected, while acknowledging that New York City does not itself have the authority to execute it.

'I do believe that that is something that should be honoured,' Mamdani said, arguing that no individual should be placed above international accountability.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on 21 November 2024, saying there were reasonable grounds to believe he bore criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Netanyahu rejects the allegations, while Israel contests the ICC's jurisdiction. Neither the United States nor Israel is a State Party to the Rome Statute, which established the court.

Mamdani previously explored whether New York authorities could act on the warrant before acknowledging that the city lacked the necessary legal authority.

Netanyahu Hits Back at New York Mayor

Netanyahu responded directly to Mamdani on Tuesday, accusing the mayor of supporting Hamas and 'inciting riots against New York Jews'.

'Shame on you, Mr. Mamdani,' Netanyahu said in a video statement, before vowing to use his UN address to defend Israel's military actions.

'I'm coming to the UN,' he said. 'I'm going to tell the truth about our heroic soldiers, and I'm going to tell the truth about you.'

Mamdani has condemned antisemitism and maintains that his criticism is directed at the Israeli government and its conduct in Gaza.

Netanyahu Plans Brief New York Visit

Netanyahu's trip has been dramatically shortened from earlier plans. Israeli media reported that the latest itinerary calls for him to arrive in New York on Thursday morning, address the UN General Assembly at 2pm local time on 24 September and leave the US shortly afterwards.

A previously planned stop in Texas has been dropped, while Netanyahu's latest schedule does not include a meeting with Trump.

The itinerary outlined in Israeli reporting also includes heightened Secret Service protection, with demonstrations expected near the United Nations during Netanyahu's appearance.

The decision to keep Netanyahu's aircraft away from JFK adds another layer to an already politically charged visit, placing the dispute between the Israeli prime minister and New York's mayor alongside the wider international argument over whether the ICC warrant against Netanyahu should be enforced.