NEW YORK — Israel’s ambassador to the UN said that the mission was expecting “intense” protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s appearance at the UN General Assembly later this month, after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani backed demonstrations against the premier.

“Mayor Mamdani, instead of uniting the city and making sure that it would be a smooth high-level week, he’s doing exactly the opposite by inciting and calling for people to demonstrate,” Danon told The Times of Israel in an interview. “I would advise Mayor Mamdani to focus on his responsibilities and tasks as a mayor and not to sow chaos in the city.

“We are aware of demonstrations that will take place and that the security measures will be appropriate,” Danon said. “I’m sure it will be more intense this year.”

Mamdani had previously long promised to arrest Netanyahu if he came to the city, but acknowledged in July that, as mayor, he did not actually have the ability to do so.

While admitting he could not make the arrest, Mamdani made a series of incendiary accusations against Israel and encouraged protests against Netanyahu. Mamdani’s statement has been viewed hundreds of millions of times.

Anti-Zionist activist groups in the city like the Palestinian Youth Movement and the People’s Forum have announced a “week of action” during the General Assembly targeting Netanyahu.

“We here in New York City reject Zionism and all who perpetrate it,” the groups said in a statement.

In addition to anti-Zionist protest groups, major Jewish organizations are planning a rally against antisemitism........

© The Times of Israel