Netanyahu accuses NYC Mayor Mamdani of 'fomenting hate' after arrest threat

What the report says

BBC World News reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he intends to travel to New York for the UN General Assembly this autumn, despite earlier comments by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani about arresting him under an International Criminal Court warrant. Netanyahu told Fox News on Sunday he was “not concerned” by the threat and accused Mamdani of “fomenting hate,” saying a mayor should represent all New Yorkers rather than pit communities against each other.

According to the BBC, Mamdani had already retreated from his arrest pledge last week, saying a legal review found his administration did not have independent authority to enforce the ICC warrant. He nevertheless urged the US federal government to act and said Netanyahu was not welcome in the city. The BBC said the mayor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The dispute comes amid heightened tensions over Israel’s war in Gaza and concern about antisemitic and other hate crimes in New York. Netanyahu referred to two stabbings on Thursday involving Jewish and Asian victims; police said the suspect allegedly shouted “Allahu akbar” and has been charged with hate crimes. Both victims survived, and the attacks were condemned by Jewish and Asian American leaders.

The ICC issued a 2024 warrant accusing Netanyahu of war crimes in Gaza, allegations Israel denies. The war began after the Hamas-led 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says more than 73,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks, figures the UN regards as reliable.