Overview
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani told reporters he does not plan to attend or urge New Yorkers to join protests of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit, a change from earlier, more provocative comments.
- City officials are working with the NYPD on security and traffic plans for the U.N. General Assembly visit, and Mamdani said there are no known expected threats that they are tracking.
- Students from Ramaz School and SAR High School plan a prayer gathering outside Gracie Mansion, which Mamdani welcomed though he said he will likely be elsewhere.
- The mayor’s announcement, made Wednesday, follows weeks of controversy over his past remarks about the International Criminal Court warrant for Netanyahu and a viral video calling Netanyahu a 'war criminal.'
- Mamdani’s shift may ease tensions with Jewish community leaders who criticized his earlier rhetoric, but protests around Netanyahu’s Sept. 24 U.N. address are still expected and city officials must manage security and community relations.