Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, has labeled New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani a "clown" for calling on federal authorities to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mamdani's demand came in response to a potential International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for the Israeli leader, who is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan in September.
Danon criticized Mamdani's statements as a "joke" and a "stunt," asserting that the mayor should focus on domestic issues within New York City, such as homelessness and sanitation, rather than foreign affairs. "A mayor should be dealing with the homeless people, the garbage in New York, and leave foreign affairs to the people in Washington who are elected to do it," Danon stated in an interview with Fox News Digital.
He also emphasized the mayor's responsibility to ensure the security of New York City residents, particularly the Jewish community, in light of rising antisemitism. Danon argued that Mamdani's accusations against Netanyahu, which include labeling him a "war criminal" and the "architect of a horrific genocide" against Palestinians, are baseless and promote "blood libels."
Mamdani, in a video released by the New York City Mayor's Office, alleged that Netanyahu is responsible for the deaths of thousands of children and for obstructing humanitarian aid to Gaza. He cited a U.N. confirmation of Palestinian children being targeted and killed by Israeli forces, and referenced the ICC warrant. However, Mamdani acknowledged that the city lacks the independent legal authority to enforce such a warrant, calling on the federal government to do so.
Israeli officials have rejected the ICC's jurisdiction, with Netanyahu's office describing the court as a "kangaroo court that has no jurisdiction over Americans or Israelis." Danon echoed this, explaining that the U.S. is not a party to the ICC and therefore, no warrant would be effective against the Prime Minister within the U.S. He characterized Mamdani's remarks as a "political stunt" with no legal foundation.
Danon assured that Prime Minister Netanyahu intends to visit New York and address the UN General Assembly as planned. He suggested that Mamdani attend the Prime Minister's speech at the UN to "learn something from his speech," recalling that Mayor Adams attended Netanyahu's address the previous year.