Likud Party Targets NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani in Campaign

The Likud party of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a campaign in Tel Aviv featuring billboards that depict New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani alongside the leaders of Iran, Hezbollah, and Turkey. The campaign warns voters not to let these figures win as Netanyahu seeks to maintain his far-right coalition before October elections.

This escalation follows calls from Mamdani for U.S. authorities to enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant if Netanyahu visits New York for the UN General Assembly in September. Mamdani stated that Netanyahu "belonged in The Hague" and described him as a war criminal.

Netanyahu responded by accusing Mamdani of fomenting hate and expressed concern that progressive Democrats are eroding bipartisan U.S. support for Israel. This diplomatic friction occurs as Gaza ceasefire talks between Israel and the United States remain stalled.