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Israeli UN envoy blasts Mamdani as 'clown' over call to arrest Netanyahu: 'It's a stunt'

Israel's UN ambassador Danny Danon called NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani a 'clown' for urging federal arrest of PM Netanyahu, as Tel Aviv's vice mayor challenged him to a boxing match. Israeli officials accused Mamdani of antisemitism and promoting hatred.

By Tertius News AI Desk 2 outlets · 5 articles Version 1 Coverage Jul 22 – Aug 3, 2026 Published Aug 14

Lead

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, has called New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani a "clown" over Mamdani's demand that federal authorities arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visits Manhattan in September. The remarks came after Mamdani accused Netanyahu of being a "war criminal" and the "architect of a horrific genocide" against Palestinians, and called on the federal government to execute an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against the Israeli leader.

Coverage comparison

Fox News reported that Danon's remarks came in response to Mamdani's statements and that Netanyahu is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly in September. The Jerusalem Post covered multiple Israeli officials' reactions, including former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot and former prime minister Naftali Bennett, who condemned Mamdani's statement. The Post also reported that Tel Aviv Vice Mayor Guy Avner challenged Mamdani to a boxing match, and that Israel's Consul-General in New York, Ofir Akunis, accused Mamdani of being an antisemite.

Key claims

Danon's 'clown' comment: Danon told Fox News Digital that Mamdani's remarks were "a joke," adding, "Everyone knows it's a show. It's a stunt." He said a mayor should focus on homelessness and garbage in New York, and leave foreign affairs to Washington, while ensuring the security of the Jewish community.
Mamdani's accusations: Mamdani said in a video released by his office that Netanyahu is a "war criminal" responsible for the killing of more than 73,000 people, according to Fox News. He also called Netanyahu the "architect of a horrific genocide" against Palestinians.
ICC warrant and Israeli response: The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, but Israeli officials deny all charges and reject the ICC's jurisdiction, as reported by both Fox News and the Jerusalem Post.
Avner's boxing challenge: In a video posted to Instagram, Tel Aviv Vice Mayor Guy Avner challenged Mamdani to a boxing match, saying, "You and me, in the ring, charity event." He accused Mamdani of creating hatred toward Jewish people, and referenced Mamdani's earlier comments about detaining Netanyahu. Avner later told the Jerusalem Post that boxing is about facing your opponent directly.
Akunis's antisemitism accusation: Israel's Consul-General in New York, Ofir Akunis, said Mamdani is "an antisemite hiding behind a fake smile." Akunis condemned Mamdani for using the word "monsters" to describe AIPAC, comparing it to language used by the Nazi regime, and for saying Israel is responsible for a genocide in Gaza.

Perspectives

Israeli officials: Multiple Israeli figures, including Danon, Avner, Akunis, Eisenkot, and Bennett, have uniformly condemned Mamdani's rhetoric. Danon called it a "dangerous game" that could incite violence, referencing a stabbing attack on the Upper West Side that occurred after Mamdani's video. Eisenkot described the statement as "pure antisemitism, with no basis in fact," and Bennett said Mamdani has placed himself "on the wrong side of history."

NYC Mayor's Office: Mamdani has not responded publicly to the Israeli officials' criticisms in the provided material. His office released a video titled "Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal," and he has admitted his administration lacks authority to enforce the ICC warrant, according to the Jerusalem Post.