Netanyahu Accuses Mamdani of ‘Fomenting Hate,’ Dismisses ICC War Crimes Charges as ‘Bogus’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticised New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of “fomenting hate” after the mayor said the Israeli leader should be arrested if he visits New York under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. Netanyahu also dismissed the ICC’s war crimes allegations against him as “bogus” and vowed that he would still travel to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly later this year.

The dispute follows comments by Mamdani, who has repeatedly stated that Netanyahu would not be welcome in New York and has argued that U.S. authorities should enforce the ICC arrest warrant issued against the Israeli prime minister over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Mamdani acknowledged that New York City itself has no legal authority to carry out such an arrest but maintained that the warrant should be respected.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu rejected the accusations outright, saying the charges were politically motivated and lacked legal credibility. He accused Mamdani of encouraging hostility toward Israel and Jewish communities by promoting calls for his arrest, arguing that such rhetoric contributes to rising antisemitism. Netanyahu also insisted that he would not be deterred from attending the annual UN General Assembly in September despite the controversy.

The Israeli leader also took aim at the ICC, describing its case against him as a “bogus” prosecution. He pointed to the recent removal of former ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of sexual misconduct, claiming the development further undermined the court’s credibility. Israel has consistently rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction over the case, arguing that the court has no authority to prosecute Israeli officials because Israel is not a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the tribunal.

The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in connection with alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict. The court has said there are reasonable grounds to believe the two men bear criminal responsibility for offences including the alleged use of starvation as a method of warfare and attacks against civilians. Israel strongly denies the allegations, insisting its military operations are conducted in accordance with international law and are aimed at defeating Hamas following the group’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

The latest exchange has added to growing political tensions in the United States over the Israel-Gaza war. Mamdani, a prominent progressive politician and outspoken supporter of Palestinian rights, has been among the most vocal American officials calling for accountability over Israel’s military campaign. His remarks have drawn praise from pro-Palestinian activists while prompting criticism from pro-Israel groups and political leaders who argue that his rhetoric unfairly targets Israel.

Netanyahu warned that bipartisan support for Israel in the United States is being weakened by what he described as increasingly hostile political discourse. Nevertheless, he reaffirmed his intention to travel to New York for the UN gathering, saying he would continue defending Israel’s actions on the international stage despite legal and political challenges.

The renewed war of words comes as international scrutiny of the Gaza conflict continues to intensify, with debates over accountability, international law and the role of the ICC remaining deeply divisive among governments and political leaders worldwide.