Netanyahu Defies ICC Warrant for UN Speech, Attacks Mamdani
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- Netanyahu announced he will speak at the UN in New York City despite an ICC arrest warrant issued in November 2024 against him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza.
- Netanyahu attacked NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Fox News, calling him a 'fomenter of hate' and falsely claiming Mamdani and his wife 'celebrated' the October 7 Hamas attack.
- The article notes lurid claims about October 7 — including beheaded and burnt babies — have been 'repeatedly debunked,' even as it confirms Hamas killed scores of unarmed Israeli civilians and took hostages.
- Mamdani said during his campaign he'd seek Netanyahu's arrest if he visited NYC, but recently clarified the city lacks the authority to do so.
- A June AP-NORC poll of 1,000+ US Jewish adults found 44% view Mamdani favorably vs. only about one-third for Netanyahu, with 42% holding a 'very unfavorable' view of the Israeli leader.
- A YouGov poll found 46% of Americans believe Netanyahu should be arrested, while 28% say he should not, and 30% of Jewish adults surveyed believe Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.
Why it matters: Netanyahu's defiance of the ICC warrant comes as polling shows his standing with American voters has significantly eroded — 46% of Americans say he should be arrested, while only about 33% of Jewish adults view him favorably compared to 44% for Mamdani. The combative anti-Mamdani framing appears out of step with the demographic Netanyahu is targeting.
