Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of “fomenting hate” by labeling the Prime Minister a war criminal. The remarks follow statements from Mamdani suggesting that Netanyahu should be arrested if he travels to New York City for the United Nations General Assembly in September.
During an appearance on the Fox News channel’s Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, Netanyahu stated he intends to proceed with his visit to address the annual gathering of world leaders despite the mayor’s assertion that he is not welcome. “He’s supposed to be the mayor of all New Yorkers – Jews, Christians, Muslims, everyone,” Netanyahu said. “But he’s trying to turn one group against the other.”
Mamdani, who campaigned on a platform that included seeking to order city police to execute International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants, clarified on Wednesday that while New York City lacks the legal authority to enforce such warrants, he encouraged the federal government to intervene. In a video message, Mamdani stated, “I want to be equally clear, Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large.” He added that he understood the frustration of New Yorkers and that the city would always respect expressions of protest. Mamdani’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday.
Netanyahu on Sunday dismissed the ICC’s war crimes charges as “bogus.” He pointed to sexual misconduct allegations against the court’s top prosecutor, who was removed from that post on Friday, and suggested the warrant was an attempt to divert attention. The Hague-based court has accused Netanyahu, his former defense minister, and the late leader of Hamas of crimes against humanity. According to the Palestinian territory’s health ministry, approximately 73,000 people have been killed in the conflict, which began following the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel, where about 1,200 people were killed. Israel also joined the US in starting the war against Iran on 28 February before launching a ground invasion in southern Lebanon in response to fire from the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.
The Prime Minister also expressed concern regarding the stability of bipartisan support for Israel within the United States, specifically citing concerns over the influence of progressive and far-left Democrats aligned with the Mamdani wing of the party. He further warned against rising antisemitism, noting that when he speaks to people in New York City—home to the second-largest Jewish population in the world—he hears that “Jews feel very uncomfortable.” He added, “And I think it’s wrong. The whole thing is wrong.”
Meanwhile, Donald Trump stated on social media on Monday 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 Lindsey Graham, the late Republican senator. Graham, a leading defense hawk and strong supporter of Israel, died suddenly on 11 July of a likely torn aorta. Netanyahu called him a “great patriot” and one of Israel’s “greatest friends.”
