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Netanyahu Calls ICC Charges 'Bogus,' Accuses NYC Mayor of 'Fomenting Hate'
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Conflict & Security

Netanyahu Calls ICC Charges 'Bogus,' Accuses NYC Mayor of 'Fomenting Hate'

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused New York Mayor Eric Adams of inciting hatred.
  • Netanyahu dismissed the International Criminal Court's war crimes charges against him as 'bogus.'
  • The accusations come as Netanyahu plans to attend the UN General Assembly in New York in September.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused New York Mayor Eric Adams of "fomenting hate" and labeled the International Criminal Court's (ICC) war crimes charges against him as "bogus." The prime minister stated his intention to visit New York in September for the annual UN General Assembly, despite the mayor's suggestion that he is not welcome.

Netanyahu, speaking on Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures," criticized Adams for allegedly trying to turn groups against each other. "He's supposed to be the mayor of all New Yorkers, Jews, Christians, Muslims, everyone," Netanyahu said. "But he's trying to turn one group against the other."

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.

— Benjamin NetanyahuCriticizing New York Mayor Eric Adams's stance on his potential visit.

The prime minister also dismissed the ICC's charges, which stem from Israel's war in Gaza ignited by Hamas's Oct. 7 attack. He pointed to recent allegations against the ICC's top prosecutor and suggested the warrant was a diversionary tactic. The ICC has accused Netanyahu, his former defense minister, and Hamas leaders of crimes against humanity. Gaza's Health Ministry reports over 73,000 deaths in the Israeli offensive, with roughly half being women and children.

He's not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large.

— Eric AdamsMayor Adams's statement regarding Prime Minister Netanyahu's potential visit.

Netanyahu expressed concern about the potential erosion of bipartisan support for Israel in the U.S. and warned against rising antisemitism. He noted that Jews in New York City, home to the world's second-largest Jewish population, "feel very uncomfortable."

Mayor Adams had previously stated that while New York City lacks the legal authority to enforce an ICC arrest warrant, he encouraged federal authorities to do so. He declared Netanyahu "not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large." Adams acknowledged public frustration and stated the city would "always respect" expressions of protest.

The whole thing is wrong.

— Benjamin NetanyahuExpressing his view on the situation and the charges against him.
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Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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