Israeli Politics · updated 1h ago · 3 min read
Benjamin Netanyahu Attacks Zohran Mamdani, Vows To Reveal His “True Nature” At United Nations
Netanyahu accuses Mamdani of supporting Hamas and inciting violence against Jews. Mamdani reiterates ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu and labels him war criminal.
Whether the response should be arrest calls vs UN rebuttal.
10 of 11 outlets skipped it: a Republican candidate demands Mamdani explain reversal on Netanyahu arrest pledge..
The Jerusalem Post was read line by line by the Watchdog: 5.4. See the score →
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New York Post
“If someone should be arrested, it’s Mayor Mamdani for inciting, for actually collaborating with the enemy of the United States,”Read the original ↗
The New York Post escalates the dispute to arrest calls, while Reuters-based coverage sticks to retaliatory accusations around the UN visit.
Netanyahu vs Mamdani
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani over Mamdani’s signaled intent to arrest him upon his arrival in New York, and Netanyahu vowed to reveal Mamdani’s “true nature before the United Nations.” Netanyahu told Mamdani, “Shame on you for supporting Hamas and inciting against Jews in New York,” as he prepared for a trip to the United States to deliver a speech at the United Nations General Assembly. New York City Mayor Eric Adams had previously criticized Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and called for enforcement of the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant issued against him, but the mayor later conceded that city authorities do not have the authority to arrest the Israeli leader.
Netanyahu hardened his tone toward Adams by posting a video message shortly before his trip, accusing the mayor of supporting Hamas and inciting disturbances against Jews in New York. The dispute unfolded as New York prepared to host the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly with tight security around the UN headquarters and expected increases in protests and demonstrations.
ICC warrant and legal limits
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani described Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and the “architect of ethnic cleansing” against the Palestinian people, and Mamdani tied his stance to the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant issued against him. Mamdani told CNN that Netanyahu remained exempt from accountability “as long as the court has established that he committed violations.” Netanyahu replied with “shame on you,” just before heading to the city to participate in United Nations General Assembly activities, and Netanyahu said, “I’m coming to the United Nations, and I will tell the truth about our soldiers and I will tell the truth about you.”
New York authorities stated they do not have independent legal authority to execute the arrest warrant against Netanyahu, after a promise during his campaign to detain the Israeli prime minister upon arrival. The confrontation was set against the backdrop of the ICC issuing arrest warrants in November 2024 for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, with the United States not a member of the court and clarifying that it will not arrest Netanyahu.
What happens at the UN
Netanyahu said he would use his speech at the United Nations this week to defend Israel’s military actions against the Palestinians, while accusing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of supporting Hamas.
Netanyahu told Reuters, “I'm going to tell the truth about our heroic soldiers, and I'm going to tell the truth about you (Mamdani),” and he also said, “Shame on you, Mr. Mamdani,” over incitement and support claims.
Mamdani renewed his call for enforcement of the ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu, and Mamdani said, “If the International Criminal Court deems someone worthy of an arrest,” then “who are we to say that anyone should be above that?”
The sources described Netanyahu’s UN week as expected to feature broad protests, and the New York City police said they stand ready to secure the General Assembly meetings and protect delegations and officials.
The dispute also fed into wider international scrutiny, with the sources framing Netanyahu’s address as a response to criticisms about the war in Gaza and Israeli policy, and with the UN General Assembly meetings proceeding under tight security around the UN headquarters.