Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has recently joined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's legal defense team as they face arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court (ICC) over their response to the Oct. 7, 2023 attack. Cuomo, who resigned in 2021 amid harassment allegations, condemned antisemitism at a dinner with New York's Jewish community leaders.
Cuomo criticized the whitewashing of Hamas kidnappings and murders in Israel and expressed pride in supporting Netanyahu's defense against the ICC arrest warrant. He emphasized the importance of standing against antisemitism and highlighted the need for accurate reporting on incidents involving the Jewish community.
The ICC charged Netanyahu and his former defense chief Yoav Gallant with crimes against humanity and war crimes, sparking global controversy among signatories to the court's jurisdiction. The warrants have led to bipartisan outrage in the U.S. Congress, with lawmakers condemning the ICC's actions.
Amidst the international response, France signaled that Netanyahu would be considered immune to the ICC due to Israel not being a signatory to the court. The U.S. and Israel have faced opposition from some European nations regarding the arrest warrants.
Cuomo, who is rumored to be considering a mayoral run in New York City, reiterated his commitment to combating antisemitism and supporting Israel. He referenced past legislation he signed as governor to address hate crimes and underscored the need for enforcing laws to protect the Jewish community.
In a statement, a Cuomo spokesman highlighted the former governor's track record of prioritizing efforts to combat antisemitism and support Israel. Cuomo's involvement in Netanyahu's legal defense team reflects his ongoing dedication to these causes.
The situation has drawn attention to the complexities of international justice and the differing stances of nations towards the ICC. Major U.S. allies like Canada, Mexico, Australia, and the United Kingdom recognize the ICC, while other nations like the U.S., Russia, Cuba, Turkey, Vatican City, and Malaysia do not acknowledge its authority.
