Netanyahu's legal defense team gains Cuomo as a member while the latter considers a 2025 NYC mayoral run.

This week, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo joined the legal defense team of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense chief Yoav Gallant, who are facing arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court (ICC) over their response to the Oct. 7, 2023 attack.

In a recent dinner with leaders of New York's Jewish community, Cuomo, a three-term Democrat who resigned in 2021 due to harassment allegations, criticized antisemitism.

Cuomo criticized the whitewashing of Hamas kidnappings and murders in Israel, expressing pride in joining Netanyahu's defense at the National Committee for Furtherance of Jewish Education.

He criticized the widespread belief that antisemitism is not a significant problem among individuals and organizations.

Cuomo stated that Rabbi Zvi Kogan, who was previously reported as "missing" in the United Arab Emirates, was actually kidnapped and murdered by Hamas. Cuomo added that such mischaracterizations should be viewed as antisemitic.

Cuomo declared that this moment would be recorded in history as a pivotal point, where true friends unite to defend Israel.

"I am proud to be part of the legal defense team of the prime minister in the ICC case and to stand against antisemitism."

The ICC accused Netanyahu and Gallant of crimes against humanity and war crimes, sparking a global controversy as countries that support the court's jurisdiction clashed with their non-party allies, including the U.S.

The ICC's edicts must be upheld by member nations, but Netanyahu's warrant posed a dilemma for Western nations, including the EU, who were at odds with the US and Israel.

The Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts warned Britain's GB News that any international leader who buys into the "bulls***" would face consequences. The left-wing Prime Minister Keir Starmer of that nation is under pressure from some members of his Labour Party to fulfill an "obligation" to arrest Netanyahu, as reported by the outlet.

The Macron administration in France has indicated that Netanyahu will be treated as immune to the ICC because Israel is not a signatory to the treaty.

According to the Jerusalem Post, when asked if France would arrest Netanyahu, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that Paris is "committed to international justice and will apply international law."

Sens. John Fetterman, Lindsey Graham, and Tom Cotton, and Reps. Jared Moskowitz and Ritchie Torres, despite their political differences, expressed bipartisan outrage over the warrants on Capitol Hill.

Graham stated on "Hannity" that he and Cotton aim to pass a law imposing penalties on any country that assists the ICC in apprehending Netanyahu, while the other listed politicians all denounced the warrant.

There are rumors that Cuomo may run for mayor of New York City in 2025, where the largest Jewish community in the U.S. resides.

He mentioned the 1.6 million Jews in New York City and stated that Hamas is protesting in the streets with masks while Jewish individuals are fearful to display yarmulkes or Stars of David in public.

He stated that it is impossible in the state of New York and emphasized the need for the enforcement of a specific law he signed as governor.

In 2019, Cuomo passed an antisemitic-hate-crimes bill sponsored by Sen. Kaminsky and launched a "No Hate In Our State" campaign.

The spokesman for Cuomo directed Planet Chronicle Digital to a video of the governor's speech, stating that Cuomo is proud to be part of a legal "dream team" for Netanyahu.

Cuomo, as governor, prioritized combating antisemitism and supporting Israel. He enacted landmark hate crime legislation, enhanced security measures at religious institutions, established a new hate crimes unit in the State Police, and led a state delegation to Israel during an attack.

Some of the major nations, including the U.S., Russia, Cuba, Turkey, Vatican City, and Malaysia, do not recognize the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The Holland-based bench is recognized by major U.S. allies Canada, Mexico, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Planet Chronicle Digital has reached out to the Netanyahu administration for comment.