Israeli Activist Noa Tishby Condemns NYC Mayor Mamdani Over ICC Arrest Warrant Stance

Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected mayor of New York City, sparked controversy after initially threatening to enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he attended the United Nations. Mamdani later retracted his statement, clarifying that the city lacks the legal authority to carry out such an arrest. This reversal angered many in the American Jewish community and supporters of Israel.

Among the critics was Noa Tishby, an Israeli actress and prominent pro-Israel advocate residing in the United States. She publicly accused Mamdani of hypocrisy, stating that he threatened to arrest Netanyahu despite knowing it was illegal. Tishby further condemned Mamdani for spreading "dangerous lies" about Israelis and their leaders while ignoring the atrocities committed by Hamas, which she said ignited the current conflict and destabilized the entire Middle East.

Mamdani had initially called on the federal government to enforce the ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu and declared the Israeli prime minister unwelcome in New York City. However, after reviewing legal options, he acknowledged the city’s lack of independent jurisdiction to make such arrests and urged federal authorities to cooperate with the ICC to enforce the warrant instead. The dispute highlights tensions surrounding international legal actions against Israeli officials and the political sensitivities in New York’s diverse communities.