Mamdani says ICC warrant against Netanyahu should be ‘taken seriously’

Spread the love

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speaks to members of the press during his during his visit to a childcare center in Manhattan, New York, U.S., on December 11, 2025. [Mostafa Bassim – Anadolu Agency]

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Monday that the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be “taken seriously,” hours US President Donald Trump said Netanyahu would not face arrest in the US, Anadolu reports.

Speaking at a press conference, Mamdani said Netanyahu is “the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant” over alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes.

“We’re speaking about someone who’s the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. And he’s the subject of this arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity, for war crimes, and he’s the architect of the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza as Israel’s prime minister,” Mamdani said.

He added that his remarks were based on “facts of public record,” not personal opinion.

“I believe that when someone is charged with an International Criminal Court warrant, it’s something that should be taken seriously—whether it’s Benjamin Netanyahu or it’s Vladimir Putin or whomever else. What I’ve also made clear is that my administration will follow all applicable local laws,” he said.

READ: Mamdani says New York City reviews authority to arrest Netanyahu during UN visit: Report

Mamdani reiterated that position, saying: “If someone is charged with a warrant by the International Criminal Court for these kinds of crimes, that’s something I believe should be honored. And I’ve also said that we will follow our local laws.”

His comments came after US President Donald Trump said Netanyahu would not face arrest in the United States.

In a Truth Social post earlier Monday, Trump said the Israeli leader “will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America.”

Earlier, Mamdani told The New York Times that his administration’s legal department was discussing the possibility of Netanyahu’s arrest if he visited New York, saying he believes the Israeli premier “belongs in The Hague.”

The ICC issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

READ: Netanyahu seeks extended security protection for his family beyond potential end of premiership

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.

Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingMamdani says ICC warrant against Netanyahu should be ‘taken seriously’

France calls for ‘end to EU imports of products from illegal settlements’

Spread the love

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot gives a speech in Brussels, Belgium, on February 23, 2026. [Dursun Aydemir – Anadolu Agency]

France is calling for the EU to stop importing products from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday, Anadolu Agency reports.

“France calls for the end of imports of products from illegal settlements into the European Union,” Barrot said during a joint press conference with Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir in Reykjavik.

“France and Europe cannot accept that Europe, through its trade, supports illegal activities that compromise the possibility of peace between Israel and Palestine,” he added.

READ: West Bank killings show Israel’s encouragement of ‘ethnic cleansing’ against Palestinians, Israeli rights group says

Barrot made the remarks while outlining France’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during his visit to Iceland.

He also reiterated France’s support for a two-state solution, noting that Iceland had recognized the State of Palestine 15 years ago and that France had joined that path last year.

Barrot said parliamentary elections scheduled for Nov. 28 in Palestine were “an absolute necessity” for the legitimacy of the Palestinian parliament and to pave the way for presidential elections.

READ: UN warns over ‘escalating’ Israeli occupier attacks against Palestinians in West Bank

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.

Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingFrance calls for ‘end to EU imports of products from illegal settlements’

Yemen’s Houthis declare ‘maritime blockade’ on Saudi Arabia

Spread the love

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Yemen’s Houthi group on Monday declared “a maritime blockade” on Saudi Arabia effective immediately, Anadolu reports.

Military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a televised statement on the group’s Al-Masirah television that a ban on Saudi-linked maritime navigation “has entered into force from the moment of issuing this statement.”

Saree warned that any Saudi escalation would be met with what he called a “comprehensive and severe escalation.”

There was no immediate Saudi comment on the Houthi announcement.

​​​​​​​Last week, the Houthi group accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out an airstrike on the Sanaa airport and launched missiles toward Saudi territory, breaking years of calm. While Riyadh did not comment on the Houthi accusation, Yemen’s internationally recognized government claimed responsibility for the strike, saying it targeted the airport to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing.

READ: Houthis threaten to attack oil facilities in Saudi Arabia amid Yemen tensions

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Continue ReadingYemen’s Houthis declare ‘maritime blockade’ on Saudi Arabia

CENTCOM says it completed another round of strikes on Iran

Spread the love

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced late Wednesday that it “completed an additional round of strikes against Iran,” hitting approximately 90 military targets, Anadolu reports.

“US forces struck approximately 90 Iranian military targets including air defense systems, coastal surveillance assets, missile and drone storage sites, naval capabilities, and military logistics infrastructure along Iran’s coastline. The latest strikes follow successful execution of offensive strikes in Iran the night before,” CENTCOM wrote on the US social media platform X.

CENTCOM said the strikes were intended to “further degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping and innocent civilian mariners in the Strait of Hormuz.”

Earlier Wednesday, CENTCOM said that American forces had begun a new round of strikes against Iran.

“At the direction of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” it said in a statement on X.

“The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway,” the statement added.

READ: Oil prices rise following new US strikes on Iran

Meanwhile, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported that an explosion was heard in Iran’s southern city of Bandar Abbas on Wednesday evening.

The strikes came hours after US President Donald Trump said the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran to end the war was “over” and that the US would “probably” hit Iran again Wednesday night.

A US official told CNN that the ceasefire with Iran “has at least temporarily ceased.”
“The US military is in a wait-and-see mode,” CNN reported, citing the official, adding that today’s targets were missiles and drones.

Another US official later told Axios that the current escalation could last a day or two, a week or a month, depending on whether Iran continues its attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

“We’re going to slap them a bit,” the official said, claiming that the current escalation stems from frustration among a part of the Iranian leadership who believe the deal with the US has not delivered real benefits for Tehran.

READ: Former Pakistani Air Force official says Israel does not want US-Iran agreement to succeed

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingCENTCOM says it completed another round of strikes on Iran

Amnesty International calls for investigation into Israeli air strikes on Lebanon as ‘war crimes’

Spread the love

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

The aftermath of Israeli airstrikes revealed in the Dahieh district of southern Beirut, Lebanon, on March 07, 2026. [Houssam Shbaro – Anadolu Agency]

Amnesty International on Thursday called for an investigation into three Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon carried out in March, saying they may amount to war crimes after killing 24 civilians.

In a report published on Thursday, the rights group said the three Israeli strikes “killed 24 civilians, including 12 children, and wiped-out entire families”, adding that they “must be investigated as war crimes”.

The strikes targeted homes in the cities of Tyre and Nabatieh, as well as the town of Erkay near Sidon, between 6th and 13th March.   

Kristine Beckerle, the organisation’s Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said: “Within the space of just a week – the Israeli military obliterated entire families, including a dozen children, in Lebanon, demonstrating a callous disregard for civilian lives.

As part of its investigation, Amnesty International interviewed 15 people, including survivors, relatives of victims, paramedics, journalists who visited the strike sites and local officials.

The organisation said the evidence it gathered provided “reasonable basis to conclude that “Israeli forces violated international humanitarian law, including by failing to distinguish between civilians and military objectives, by carrying out attacks directed against civilians or civilian objects, or by failing to take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians.”

READ: Hezbollah leader rejects Lebanon-Israel Framework Agreement, says ‘not a single clause will pass’

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingAmnesty International calls for investigation into Israeli air strikes on Lebanon as ‘war crimes’