Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of “fomenting hate” after Mamdani called the Israeli prime minister a war criminal and suggested he should be arrested if he visits the city for the United Nations General Assembly in September. Netanyahu confirmed his intention to attend the annual gathering despite the mayor’s stance.
Mayor Mamdani’s Position
Mamdani said Wednesday that while New York City lacks legal authority to execute an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC), he encouraged the federal government to do so. Netanyahu responded on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo: “He’s supposed to be the mayor of all New Yorkers – Jews, Christians, Muslims, everyone. But he’s trying to turn one group against the other.”
ICC Charges Dismissed as ‘Bogus’
Netanyahu dismissed the ICC’s war crimes charges against him as “bogus,” pointing to sexual misconduct allegations that led to the removal of the court’s top prosecutor on Friday. He suggested the warrant was an attempt to divert attention. Mamdani’s office did not respond to a request for comment Sunday.
Concerns Over US Support and Antisemitism
The prime minister expressed concern that once-bipartisan political support for Israel in the US is at risk, particularly as progressive and far-left Democrats align with Mamdani. He also warned of rising antisemitism in the US and other Western countries, noting that in New York City, home to the second-largest Jewish population globally, “Jews feel very uncomfortable. And I think it’s wrong. The whole thing is wrong.”
Trump’s Assurance and Graham Funeral
Former President Donald Trump said Monday on social media that Netanyahu “will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America.” Netanyahu is expected in Washington DC on Monday to meet with Trump and attend funeral services for the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died suddenly on 11 July. Netanyahu called Graham a “great patriot” and one of Israel’s “greatest friends.”
Throughout his 2025 mayoral campaign, Mamdani said he would seek to order city police to execute the ICC arrest warrant over Netanyahu’s role in the Gaza war. In a Wednesday video message, he declared: “I want to be equally clear, Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large.” He said the city would “always respect” expressions of protest.
The ICC has accused Netanyahu, his former defense minister, and the late leader of Hamas of crimes against humanity. The Palestinian health ministry reports over 73,000 deaths in Israel’s offensive, about half women and children, while the initial Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 killed about 1,200, mostly civilians.
