Story perspectives

Mayor Labels Netanyahu War Criminal; Dems Move to Cut Aid

7/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he is reviewing authority to detain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him a war criminal and urging International Criminal Court warrant.
U.S. President Donald Trump posted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested in United States.
A May poll found nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters oppose aid to Israel.
Half of House Democrats voted to end $3.3 billion in military aid to Israel.

History

Historical Context

In October 1973, as Egypt and Syria attacked Israel, the United States launched Operation Nickel Grass, airlifting 22,325 tons of weapons and $2.2 billion in aid over 32 days, prompting an OAPEC oil embargo and reshaping U.S. Middle-East policy. Today, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s call to detain Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump’s refusal revive partisan battles over American aid to Israel.

1 of 2

Story summary

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he is reviewing authority to detain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him a war criminal and urging International Criminal Court warrant.
U.S. President Donald Trump posted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested in United States.
A May poll found nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters oppose aid to Israel.
Half of House Democrats voted to end $3.3 billion in military aid to Israel.

1 / 2