Netanyahu Tells Vernikov That He Will Visit NYC in Near Future, Despite Mamdani’s Threat

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit NYC in the near future, he wrote in a letter to City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, brushing aside repeated threats by mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to have him arrested if he enters the city.

The message came weeks after Vernikov publicly invited Benjamin Netanyahu to New York on January 1, the day of Mamdani’s inauguration. While Netanyahu said he would not be able to come on that date, he confirmed that a visit is forthcoming.

“Even though I won’t be able to make it on that day, I assure you that I will visit New York soon. And I’d very much like to see you at that time,” Netanyahu wrote in a letter on official stationery.

Mamdani, a self-described socialist, repeatedly vowed during his campaign that he would place Netanyahu “in handcuffs” should the Israeli leader set foot in New York City, though he has no authority to do so.

Vernikov, a conservative councilwoman and outspoken supporter of Israel, said she extended the invitation in order to “reaffirm the deep and enduring bond” between New York City and the Jewish state. She told The New York Post that she is eager to watch Mamdani’s reaction once Netanyahu arrives.

The Ukrainian-born attorney dismissed Mamdani’s pledge as legally baseless. “The mayor of New York City has no legal authority to arrest the sitting Prime Minister of the State of Israel. Mamdani either knew that and blatantly lied for clickbait and votes or he’s too incompetent to run a simple Google search,” Vernikov said.

“Mamdani is a scam, and soon the spoiled kids who voted for him will see him for the fraud he is.”

Vernikov said the prospective visit carries particular weight amid a recent surge of antisemitic incidents across the city. “I look forward to seeing Benjamin Netanyahu in New York City and the Jewish community will be delighted to welcome him amidst skyrocketing antisemitism here at home and across the world,” she said.

Mamdani, a Muslim immigrant, cited an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued in 2024 when explaining his position, claiming he would direct the NYPD to arrest Netanyahu if he returned to the city. The United States does not recognize the authority of the ICC.

In late 2024, the ICC issued warrants against Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, asserting there were “reasonable grounds” to believe the two “bear responsibility for the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population.”

Netanyahu has previously dismissed those threats. Last month, he told Australian broadcaster Erin Molan that he is “not afraid” to travel to New York.

Rep. Elise Stefanik, who recently ended her own campaign for New York governor, weighed in sharply on the controversy. Stefanik spearheaded legislation in September aimed at blocking what she described as Mamdani’s plan to arrest Netanyahu.

“Kathy Hochul has refused to condemn Mamdani’s antisemitic and illegal pledge to arrest Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu,” Stefanik said in a statement to The Post. “Kathy Hochul has bent the knee to the anti-American antisemites who she has allowed to take over the NY Democrat Party under her watch.”