20.07.2026 06:40
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu targeted New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who indicated that the ICC would enforce its arrest warrant against him if he came to New York. Rejecting the ICC's jurisdiction, Netanyahu described the arrest warrant as "fabricated" and stated, "Mamdani, like Karim Khan, is interested in diverting attention from his own mistakes and attacking the leader of the Jewish state, the only democracy in the Middle East."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly reacted to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's statements that they could implement the ICC's arrest warrant if Netanyahu comes to the city for the United Nations General Assembly.
In his statement, Netanyahu claimed that the International Criminal Court has no jurisdiction over US and Israeli citizens.
"SHOULD FOCUS ON FIXING HIS OWN MISTAKES"
Arguing that the arrest warrant issued against him for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza is "fabricated," Netanyahu criticized Mamdani with these words:
"Mr. Mamdani should focus on fixing the damage his policies have caused to New York rather than supporting Karim Khan's criminal behavior. Mamdani, like Karim Khan, is interested in diverting attention from his own mistakes and attacking the leader of the Jewish state, the only democracy in the Middle East."
WHAT DID MAMDANI SAY?
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani had stated that if Netanyahu comes to New York for the UN General Assembly meetings in September, "We will act within the powers granted to us by New York city law, but we will not write our own laws for this purpose."
Mamdani also assessed, "I think Netanyahu's place is in The Hague. He is a war criminal indicted by the ICC."
ICC ISSUED ARREST WARRANT
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on November 21, 2024, for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza.