Netanyahu’s video statement, released on Thursday, saw the Israeli leader accuse Mamdani of supporting Hamas and inciting riots against New York Jews, while vowing to expose the mayor’s alleged complicity at the UN.
Mamdani had warned earlier that he would seek to arrest Netanyahu if the prime minister ever entered New York, a claim he later clarified he lacked the authority to enforce. His remarks to CNN on Monday labeled Netanyahu a war criminal and a “horrific genocide architect,” prompting the Israeli leader’s sharp rebuttal.
The clash unfolds against a backdrop of the International Criminal Court’s indictment of Netanyahu, his former defence minister, and the late Hamas leader for war crimes. The ICC, established by the Rome Statute in 1998, has charged Netanyahu with crimes against humanity following Israel’s offensive that has killed an estimated 73,000 Palestinians in Gaza.
The United States, a non‑member of the ICC, withdrew its support for the Rome Statute in 2002 and has repeatedly dismissed the court’s jurisdiction. President Donald Trump’s recent speech at the UN General Assembly called for ICC members to resign, labeling the institution a rogue entity.
As Netanyahu prepares to speak at the UN, analysts anticipate a confrontational session where Israel will defend its military operations while countering Mamdani’s allegations. The outcome of the debate could influence international perceptions of the conflict and the ICC’s pursuit of justice.