Netanyahu expected to criticize New York mayor in UN address

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to speak at the United Nations General Assembly and is expected to direct criticism at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has repeatedly called him a war criminal. Earlier this week, Netanyahu released a video claiming Mamdani supports Hamas and incites riots, allegations that have been described as unfounded. Former Israeli ambassador Michael Oren told Reuters that the speech may resemble a campaign rally, suggesting Netanyahu could be trying to sway undecided voters ahead of Israel’s upcoming general election. Mamdani, who has said he looked into whether his office could detain Netanyahu under an International Criminal Court warrant, clarified that he lacks legal authority to do so, noting that the United States does not recognize the ICC. Despite his criticism of Israel, Mamdani is not joining planned protests in New York and will instead visit an LGBTQ+ centre with the Dutch prime minister. Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported continued operations in the West Bank and Lebanon, targeting a house in Beit Imrin and reporting bombings in southern Lebanon. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will address the assembly via video, while U.S. President Donald Trump hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington.