Netanyahu: Mamdani trying to distract from failed policies by exploring PM’s arrest

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office sharply rebuked New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Sunday, after Mamdani stated he was exploring options to arrest the Israeli leader should he visit New York. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) issued a statement calling the International Criminal Court (ICC), which previously issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024 concerning the war in Gaza, a "kangaroo court" with no jurisdiction over Americans or Israelis.

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a kangaroo court that has no jurisdiction over Americans or Israelis

The PMO accused Mamdani of attempting to divert public attention from his own policy failures. The statement further alleged that the ICC's arrest warrant against Netanyahu was issued by a "disgraced former ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan," shortly before allegations of sexual misconduct against Khan became public. Netanyahu's office asserted this was a clear attempt by Khan to shift focus and avoid scrutiny. The PMO also defended Israel's wartime actions, stating the country took "unprecedented wartime measures to minimize harm to civilians while confronting Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization that uses Palestinians as human shields and deliberately targets innocent Israeli civilians."

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bogus arrest warrant against Prime Minister Netanyahu was issued by a disgraced former ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, a few days before allegations of sexual misconduct against him became public

"Instead of backing Khan’s criminal behavior, Mr. Mamdani should focus on fixing the damage his policies have caused New York," the statement continued. The PMO characterized Mamdani's actions similarly to Khan's, suggesting both are interested in diverting attention from their own shortcomings by attacking the leader of Israel, described as "the Jewish state and the only democracy in the Middle East."

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It was a clear attempt by Khan to divert public attention and seek protection from scrutiny.

This exchange follows reports that ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan was suspended pending a probe into sexual harassment allegations, with a member state vote on his dismissal scheduled for the upcoming week. Separately, Democratic Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman called Mamdani a "clown" for his remarks. Fetterman, a strong supporter of Israel, asserted that Mamdani has "no way to do that" and emphasized that "America’s not even part of that corrupt court." The senator advised Mamdani to "just sit down and focus" on New York's problems, stating, "that’s really not your purview. You and I know that. Sit down."

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Israel, said the PMO, “has taken unprecedented wartime measures to minimize harm to civilians while confronting Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization that uses Palestinians as human shields and deliberately targets innocent Israeli civilians.”