From the Liveblog of
Sunday, July 19, 2026
Netanyahu’s office says Mamdani is trying to distract from failed policies by exploring PM’s arrest
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleResponding to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s announcement that he is reviewing ways to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he comes to New York, the Prime Minister’s Office says the mayor is looking to distract the public from his failed policies.
“The ICC is a kangaroo court that has no jurisdiction over Americans or Israelis,” says the PMO, referring to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
“Its 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,” Netanyahu’s office continues. “It was a clear attempt by Khan to divert public attention and seek protection from scrutiny.”
Israel, says 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.”
“Instead of backing Khan’s criminal behavior, Mr. Mamdani should focus on fixing the damage his policies have caused New York,” it continues.
“Like Karim Khan, Mamdani appears interested in diverting public attention from his follies and attacking the leader of the Jewish state and the only democracy in the Middle East.”
The Times of Israel Community.