Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed recent calls for his arrest by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Despite Mamdani’s appeal to fulfill an International Criminal Court warrant, Netanyahu affirmed his decision to attend the United Nations General Assembly. He also shared insights on security strategies concerning Iran and Hezbollah during an interview on ‘Sunday Morning Futures.’
Netanyahu accused Mamdani of spreading divisive rhetoric in the city. During his conversation with ‘Sunday Morning Futures’ host Maria Bartiromo, he remarked, “Look what he’s doing. He’s fomenting hate. He’s supposed to be the mayor of all New Yorkers, Jews, Christians, Muslims, everyone, but he’s trying to turn one group against the other.” The Prime Minister emphasized how such comments are heightening concerns among Jewish Americans in New York.
Jewish Community Concerns
Netanyahu noted increased fear among Jewish residents following Mamdani’s statements. Referring to a recent incident, he stated, “They’re afraid right now, and I don’t think it’s accidental that after Mamdani made this hate speech against Israel and against me, the next day, a Jew is stabbed coming out of a synagogue.” This comment referenced a stabbing near a Manhattan synagogue where a Jewish man faced an attack.
Stabbing Incident Details
The alleged attacker, Raul Morales, reportedly stabbed a Jewish man while shouting “Allahu Akbar.” Morales has also been linked to an attack on an Asian man with similar rhetoric. These incidents have intensified the Jewish community’s concerns.
Response to Mamdani’s Remarks
Netanyahu condemned Mamdani’s lack of legal authority to arrest him, stating that Mamdani admitted their jurisdictional limits. However, Mamdani continues to label Netanyahu a “war criminal.” In previous comments, Mamdani described Netanyahu as “the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people.”
Despite these controversies, the Prime Minister remains unfazed regarding his travel plans to New York, saying, “I intend to come to New York to speak the truth and defend Israel and its ties to the United States.” He emphasized his commitment to attending the UN General Assembly barring any unforeseen security issues.