Netanyahu's office hits back at NYC Mayor Mamdani over "bogus" arrest remarks
Tel Aviv, July 20
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office has strongly criticised New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani following statements that his administration is examining legal avenues to detain the Israeli leader during his upcoming visit to the United Nations General Assembly in September.
The official response, issued on Sunday, dismissed the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Benjamin Netanyahu as "bogus" and labelled the international body a "kangaroo court" that possesses no jurisdiction over either Israel or the United States. The statement further alleged that former ICC prosecutor Karim Khan had initiated the warrant as a diversionary tactic to deflect from subsequent allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
In a sharp rebuke published on X, the Prime Minister's Office asserted that Mamdani was mimicking Khan's strategy by targeting Israel to obscure domestic governance issues within New York.
"Instead of backing Khan's criminal behaviour, Mr. Mamdani should focus on fixing the damage his policies have caused New York," the official release stated, further claiming that the mayor was preoccupied with targeting "the leader of the Jewish state and the only democracy in the Middle East."
The Israeli administration also mounted a defence of its ongoing operations in Gaza, asserting that the military had implemented "unprecedented wartime measures" aimed at reducing civilian casualties while combating Hamas, which it accused of deploying civilians as human shields.
The diplomatic friction intensified after Mamdani asserted to The New York Times that Netanyahu was a "war criminal" who "belongs in The Hague."
The New York City Mayor revealed that municipal officials are engaged in an "active conversation" with the city's Law Department to ascertain the exact scope of local legal authority should the Israeli Prime Minister arrive in the city.
"Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that's what we will do," Mamdani stated, clarifying that his office is not attempting to legislate new local statutes to enforce the measure.
The legal dispute stems from arrest warrants issued by the ICC in November 2024 against Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict.
Israel has consistently denied the charges and challenged the court's legal standing. Furthermore, the United States remains a non-signatory to the Rome Statute, meaning Washington is under no international legal obligation to detain or extradite individuals sought by the ICC.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, calling the ICC a "kangaroo court" feels a bit too defensive yaar. If you believe your actions are justified, you should be able to face scrutiny. That said, Mamdani calling him a war criminal directly is also a huge escalation. This isn't just diplomatic tension; this could set a very dangerous precedent for international law. What if tomorrow some other country starts arresting foreign leaders on similar grounds? Path slippery hai.
The Israeli PMO's response is absolutely correct. Mamdani is clearly trying to score cheap political points at home by targeting Israel. Look at the mess in New York - crime is rising, cost of living is skyrocketing - and this guy is worried about arresting a foreign leader? Chalo at least some American politicians are questioning the ICC's overreach. India should also be careful about giving too much power to these international bodies.
As someone who follows US politics, I think Mamdani is overstepping. The mayor of NYC has no business trying to enforce international arrest warrants. This is a federal matter. Also, the ICC prosecutor's own credibility issues are well-documented. Israel has legitimate security concerns just like any other nation. We in the West need to stop lecturing others about human rights when our own house isn't in order.
The whole "only democracy in the Middle East" argument is getting old. Democracy means nothing if you're occupying territories and displacing civilians. Look at what's happening in Gaza - thousands of children dead. The ICC warrant may be controversial, but it's not "bogus." India has always supported the Palestinian cause, and I think we should be consistent in our foreign policy. No double standards please. 🙏
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.