Jewish students to rally outside Gracie Mansion ahead of Netanyahu’s UN address

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Hundreds of Jewish students and community leaders are expected to gather outside Gracie Mansion Friday morning in a demonstration against Mayor Zohran Mamdani ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to New York next week.

About 500 people are expected to attend the gathering, which is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. A main program featuring student speeches and music is expected to begin at 10 a.m.

Organizers are calling the gathering a display of faith, unity and Jewish pride

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The event comes ahead of next week's United Nations General Assembly, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to speak.

The NYPD's counterterrorism unit says there are no credible security threats ahead of the General Assembly, but officials consider this year to be a heightened security environment. Protests are expected throughout the week as world leaders gather in New York City.

Mayor Mamdani has faced criticism over his comments about Netanyahu.

The mayor explored whether he had the authority to have Netanyahu arrested for war crimes, but ultimately concluded that he did not.

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon criticized Mamdani during a news conference Thursday and called for the mayor's arrest. Danon accused Mamdani of inciting and calling for protests against Netanyahu.

Mamdani said this week that he welcomes the Jewish students and community members planning to gather outside his official residence.

"I welcome them. They can have a vigil, or I heard some describe it even as a protest. Whatever it is intended to be, they have the room and space to do so outside of Gracie Mansion," Mamdani said.

The mayor said he will likely be elsewhere in the city while the gathering is taking place.