Speaking to Newsmax, Dershowitz, a Harvard Law School professor emeritus and a member of Netanyahu’s legal team challenging the ICC case, said he was prepared to defend the prime minister if any attempt were made to impede his visit.
Prof. Alan Dershowitz, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
(Photo: Amit Shaal, AP Photo/Alex Brandon, REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)
“Look, I’m one of Bibi Netanyahu’s lawyers,” Dershowitz said, using Netanyahu’s nickname. “If Mamdani does anything to interfere with Bibi Netanyahu’s arrival in New York and speech, he will be arrested.”
Dershowitz argued that any effort by Mamdani to act against Netanyahu would violate U.S. law protecting foreign officials visiting the country on official business. Legal experts have similarly said New York City has no authority to enforce ICC warrants and that visiting foreign leaders attending UN functions enjoy legal protections under U.S. law.
The veteran constitutional lawyer also said he intends to organize a rally of “100,000 New Yorkers” in Central Park to welcome Netanyahu during his visit.
“You may not be welcome in Gracie Mansion, in that place of bigotry on the Upper East Side, but you’re welcome in New York,” Dershowitz said.
He sharply criticized Mamdani, accusing him of legitimizing antisemitism and describing him as “the greatest perpetrator of anti-Jewish hate in modern American history.” Dershowitz compared the political climate surrounding the mayor to Germany in the early 1930s, saying it was “the closest thing I’ve seen to Nazi Germany.”
Mamdani has rejected accusations of antisemitism, saying his criticism is directed at the Israeli government rather than Judaism. He has repeatedly condemned Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and described it as genocide, a characterization Israel strongly denies.Dershowitz also said the ICC case against Netanyahu had been fatally undermined by the removal of former chief prosecutor Karim Khan, who was ousted Friday over sexual misconduct allegations. However, under ICC procedures, arrest warrants remain in force unless revoked by the court’s judges, regardless of changes in the prosecutor’s office.
