The New York Police Benevolent Association has expressed concerns to Mayor Zohran Mamdani regarding his encouragement for New Yorkers to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming visit to the United Nations. NYPD Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry stated that the mayor's call for protests places officers in a difficult position, especially given the limitations on protest response due to a lawsuit related to the department's handling of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.
Hendry noted that while protests during the UN General Assembly are common, the mayor's active promotion of demonstrations may embolden violent individuals. He emphasized that the NYPD's ability to manage protests is already constrained by a settlement from a lawsuit opposed by the Police Benevolent Association.
Earlier this month, Mamdani indicated he was in discussions with the city's law department regarding the NYPD's authority to enforce an International Criminal Court warrant for Netanyahu's arrest during his visit in September. Although Mamdani acknowledged he does not have the power to arrest Netanyahu, he has continued to encourage residents to protest against him.
Mamdani has previously referred to Netanyahu as a 'war criminal' and has criticized his actions in Gaza. Recently, a man was arrested following two stabbings, one victim being Jewish, with witnesses reporting the assailant shouted 'Allahu Akbar.' Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, attributed the violence to Mamdani's rhetoric, stating that it endangers Jewish lives in New York.
Mamdani's criticism of Netanyahu has been longstanding, and during his campaign, he was advised to moderate his statements regarding the arrest of the prime minister. Following his acknowledgment of lacking the authority to arrest Netanyahu, Mamdani has urged President Donald Trump to act on the ICC warrant, which Netanyahu denies. The Washington Examiner has sought comment from Mamdani's office.