Lead

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of "fomenting hate" after the mayor called him a war criminal and suggested he should be arrested if he visits the city for the United Nations General Assembly. The exchange, which played out over the weekend, highlights the growing tension between the Israeli leader and progressive politicians in the United States.

Coverage Comparison

Netanyahu made the comments during an interview on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo," as reported by Al Jazeera and The Guardian. He said he intends to come to New York to "speak the truth – speak for Israel and for the Israeli-American alliance from the podium of the United Nations." Mamdani had said earlier that while New York City does not have the legal authority to execute the ICC's arrest warrant, he encouraged the federal government to do so.

Netanyahu's office also responded on social media, accusing Mamdani of attacking Israel to distract from his record in New York, as reported by Fox News. The office called the ICC a "kangaroo court" and said its arrest warrant was issued by a "disgraced former ICC Prosecutor, Karim Khan," in an attempt to divert attention from sexual misconduct allegations.

The dispute comes as Netanyahu is reportedly preparing to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House, according to multiple reports.

Key Claims

  • Netanyahu said Mamdani is "fomenting hate" by calling him a war criminal and suggesting he should be arrested, as reported by Al Jazeera and The Guardian.
  • Mamdani called Netanyahu a war criminal and said he should be arrested if he comes to the US, as reported by multiple sources.
  • Netanyahu plans to attend the UN General Assembly in New York City, as reported by multiple sources.
  • The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, as reported by multiple sources.
  • Over 73,000 people have been killed in Israel's war in Gaza, a figure reported by The Guardian.
  • Netanyahu's office accused Mamdani of attacking Israel to distract from his record in New York, as reported by Fox News.
  • Mamdani threatened to enforce the ICC's arrest warrant on Netanyahu, as reported by Fox News.
  • Netanyahu's office described the ICC as a "kangaroo court" that has no jurisdiction over Americans or Israelis, as reported by Fox News.
  • Netanyahu plans to meet with Trump at the White House, as reported by multiple sources.
  • A recent poll found that 46% of people in the US believe Netanyahu should be arrested, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Perspectives

Netanyahu's Office

The prime minister's office dismissed the ICC's warrant and accused Mamdani of following a "playbook" of diverting public attention. In a post on X, they wrote, "Instead of backing Khan's criminal behaviour, Mr. Mamdani should focus on fixing the damage his policies have caused New York."

Mamdani's Position

Mamdani has called Netanyahu a war criminal and has said he should be arrested if he visits the US. He has also expressed support for Palestinian rights, views that Netanyahu and others have characterized as antisemitic, though a June survey by the Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research found that a plurality of Jewish adults view Mamdani favorably.

Netanyahu's Concerns

Netanyahu has 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 against rising antisemitism, saying that Jewish Americans are "afraid right now."