Netanyahu says that Mamdani, the mayor of New York, is spreading hate over the arrest threat

Netanyahu has accused New York Mayor Mamdani of inciting hate following the mayor’s threat to arrest him in connection with the ICC warrant.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has charged New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani with “fomenting hate” following the mayor’s earlier threat to arrest him in connection with an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.

In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Netanyahu stated that he plans to attend the UN General Assembly in New York later this year, despite the previous threat. He expressed that he was “not concerned” about Mamdani’s comments.

Mamdani last week retracted the threat, stating that his administration had examined the law and determined, “We do not possess the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant.”

Netanyahu expressed his disapproval of the mayor, stating: “He’s meant to represent all New Yorkers—Jews, Christians, Muslims, everyone—but he’s attempting to pit one group against another.”

The Israeli leader also mentioned two stabbings in New York on Thursday, where a suspect reportedly attacked a Jewish man and an Asian man just several blocks apart. Authorities reported that the suspect yelled “Allahu akbar” during the incidents and has been charged with hate crimes concerning both victims.

Both men survived the attacks, leading to condemnation from leaders within the Jewish and Asian American communities.

In light of the incidents, Netanyahu expressed that Jewish New Yorkers are currently experiencing fear.

The mayor’s office has yet to respond to requests for comment.

Mamdani, a strong advocate for Palestinian rights, prominently featured his opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza during his mayoral campaign and referred to Netanyahu as a “war criminal” last week.

During the campaign, Mamdani pledged to uphold the ICC’s 2024 arrest warrant for Netanyahu, which charges the Israeli prime minister with war crimes in Gaza.

Israel has dismissed the allegations, with Netanyahu labeling the charges as “bogus.”

The Hamas-led assault on Israel on 7 October 2023 sparked the conflict, leading to around 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 individuals.

Since then, over 73,000 individuals have lost their lives in Israeli attacks on Gaza, with more than 21,000 of those being children, as reported by the health ministry operated by Hamas. The UN regards the ministry’s casualty figures as trustworthy.