• Netanyahu plans to attend the UN General Assembly in New York, defying ICC charges.
• NYC Mayor Mamdani calls Netanyahu a war criminal over Gaza actions.
• Growing public opinion in the U.S. shifts away from pro-Israel sentiments.
• Mamdani has urged federal authorities to enforce the ICC warrant against Netanyahu.
• Netanyahu describes Mamdani as "fomenting hate" and warns of rising antisemitism.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced his intention to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York this fall, despite facing an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for alleged war crimes and criticism from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has labeled him a war criminal. Mamdani, known for his support of Palestinian rights, previously stated that Netanyahu should be arrested if he visits New York, though he later acknowledged the city's lack of legal authority to enforce the warrant, encouraging federal intervention instead, according to Al Jazeera, Los Angeles Times, and BBC.

In a recent interview with Fox News, Netanyahu accused Mamdani of "fomenting hate" and shifting public opinion against Jewish residents in New York. He expressed concerns about rising antisemitism, referencing a recent stabbing incident in the city, and emphasized that "he’s trying to turn one group against the other," highlighting the increasing polarization of his image amidst criticisms from progressive factions within the U.S. political landscape, according to Los Angeles Times, Al Jazeera, and BBC.

Netanyahu has dismissed the ICC's charges against him as "bogus," asserting that they are politically motivated attempts to divert attention from other issues. He has faced declining support in the U.S., particularly as calls to reconsider American aid to Israel grow among voters, notably within progressive circles. A recent YouGov poll indicated that nearly half of Americans believe Netanyahu should face arrest upon arriving in the U.S., reflecting shifting sentiments regarding the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza, according to Los Angeles Times, Al Jazeera, and BBC.

With over 73,000 reported fatalities in Gaza since hostilities escalated following Hamas's October 2023 attack, international reactions to Netanyahu's planned visit are polarized. Mamdani firmly opposes Israeli military actions, positioning himself as a representative of those advocating for Palestinian rights in New York. He asserted that "Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large" while calling for accountability at the federal level, as reported by BBC, Los Angeles Times, and Al Jazeera.