Netanyahu war criminal; should be standing trial before ICC: Mamdani

New York: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a war criminal who should be standing trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague rather than visiting New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September. Speaking to a US media outlet, Mamdani pointed out that the ICC has already issued charges against Netanyahu and said discussions were underway with the city's legal department to determine whether the New York Police Department has any legal authority to arrest a foreign leader in such circumstances. His remarks, made ahead of Netanyahu's expected visit, have triggered fresh political debate.

The controversy comes days after US Vice President J.D. Vance sharply criticised what he described as an Israeli-funded influence campaign aimed at undermining the Trump administration's efforts to end the conflict with Iran. During an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan, Vance alleged that elements linked to the Israeli government were attempting to manipulate American public opinion in favour of prolonging the war.

Referring to a Time magazine report, Vance said Israeli government funds were channelled through former Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale's firm, Clock Tower X, to influence young conservative audiences in the United States. The report, citing US Foreign Agents Registration Act filings, said the campaign was officially presented as an effort to combat online antisemitism but was actually intended to prevent young conservatives from turning against Israel. Vance further alleged that coordinated online attacks against him intensified after he supported the agreement to end the Iran conflict, accusing those behind the campaign of spreading false claims to discredit his position.