Netanyahu Office Criticizes NYC Mayor Over Proposed ICC Arrest Discussion
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Israel's prime minister's office accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of politicizing an International Criminal Court warrant, while other officials warned the remarks could have diplomatic repercussions.
Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office responded on Sunday to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's comments about a possible arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) if Netanyahu visits the city. The office said the ICC lacks jurisdiction over Israelis and Americans and described the warrant as issued by former ICC prosecutor Karim Khan shortly before allegations of misconduct against Khan became public. It added that Mamdani's statements divert attention from his own policies in New York.
The Israeli statement also noted that Israel intends to ignore the ICC warrant while conducting military operations against Hamas in Gaza. Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a television program that Mamdani's remarks constitute political theater and are unlikely to result in any legal action.
Several Democratic officials, including former New York City mayor Eric Adams and Senator John Fetterman, cautioned that threatening to arrest a foreign leader during the United Nations General Assembly could endanger American personnel abroad and encourage extremist activity. They urged the mayor to focus on local issues instead.
Netanyahu is reportedly planning a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in the near future.