WASHINGTON (AP) – In a recent statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani of "fomenting hate" after the mayor labeled him a war criminal, suggesting that he should be arrested during his upcoming visit to the city for the United Nations General Assembly in September. Netanyahu plans to attend the annual gathering, despite Mamdani’s indication that he is not welcome due to ongoing tensions surrounding the conflict in Gaza.
Mamdani previously stated that while New York City lacks the legal authority to enforce an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), he encouraged the federal government to take action against Netanyahu. In a recent interview on Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures," Netanyahu expressed his disappointment, claiming that mayors should represent all constituents, including Jews, Christians, and Muslims, instead of inciting conflict among groups.
The situation surrounding Netanyahu has become increasingly contentious amid the backdrop of the war in Gaza, which was triggered by a deadly Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Following the attack, Israel's military operations expanded, leading to further escalations in the region including military actions against Iran and a ground invasion in southern Lebanon in response to provocations from the Hezbollah militant group.
On the matter of the war crimes charges against him, Netanyahu dismissed the ICC's allegations as "bogus," suggesting that they are part of a broader attempt to divert attention from issues within the court, particularly following the recent removal of the ICC's top prosecutor due to sexual misconduct allegations.
Mamdani's office had not issued any immediate responses to Netanyahu's remarks, but the mayor has been clear about his stance. Throughout his mayoral campaign, he advocated for actions against Netanyahu, affirming that the city’s police should execute the ICC’s arrest warrant. However, he later acknowledged that the city's legal framework does not allow for such actions against foreign leaders and urged federal intervention instead, reinforcing that Netanyahu, as well as other "war criminals," are not welcome in New York City.
Netanyahu expressed concern regarding the diminishing bipartisan support for Israel in the U.S., attributing this trend to progressive factions within the Democratic Party. He specifically pointed to rising antisemitism in the United States, claiming that many Jews feel "very uncomfortable" when discussing the current climate, especially in New York City, which is home to the second-largest Jewish population globally.
Furthermore, former U.S. President Donald Trump assured Netanyahu in a social media post that he "will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America." Netanyahu is also expected to visit Washington this week to meet with Trump and attend memorial services for the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a long-time ally of Israel who passed away suddenly due to a torn aorta.
As tensions escalate surrounding the ongoing conflict and political rhetoric intensifies, the divisions within political circles both in the United States and internationally regarding Israel continue to draw attention, revealing a complex and challenging landscape for Netanyahu as he prepares to address global leaders at the U.N.
