Full Breakdown
Netanyahu’s Likud Party Targets NYC Mayor on Tel Aviv Billboard
8/18/2026, 8:12:54 PM
Billboard Campaign Attack
A Likud-run billboard in central Tel Aviv displays New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, and Hezbollah’s security chief Naim Qassem. The image was posted to Netanyahu’s social-media accounts as part of his campaign push ahead of the October election.
Background to the Feud
Mamdani, a vocal critic of Israel’s war in Gaza, called Netanyahu a “war criminal” who “belongs in The Hague” and urged U.S. authorities to enforce the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant if the Israeli prime minister attends the United Nations General Assembly in September. The ICC issued a warrant in November 2024 accusing Netanyahu of war crimes of starvation and crimes against humanity from at least 8 October 2023 through 20 May 2024; Netanyahu has denied the allegations and labeled them “antisemitic.”
The billboard follows a series of sharp exchanges: Netanyahu accused Mamdani of “fomenting hate” and dividing religious groups in New York, while Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon branded the mayor’s remarks antisemitic and supportive of Hamas. Former U.S.
Official Statements & Responses
Netanyahu’s office framed the billboard as a warning that progressive Democrats aligned with Mamdani threaten bipartisan U.S. support for Israel. Mamdani reiterated his call for the ICC warrant’s enforcement, later clarifying that arrest actions lie outside a mayor’s jurisdiction and must be pursued by the federal government.
Political Implications Ahead of the October Election
Israel’s Knesset was dissolved in July, triggering elections scheduled for October 2023—the first since the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023. Polling cited in the coverage indicates Mamdani enjoys higher favorability among American Jews than Netanyahu, suggesting the billboard may aim to rally domestic voters amid a trailing coalition. The feud unfolds as U.S.–Israeli talks on a Gaza ceasefire remain stalled, adding diplomatic pressure to an already contentious campaign season.
