New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani responded sharply to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent accusations that he supports Hamas and is inciting violence against Jewish residents. This exchange intensifies their ongoing conflict just days before Netanyahu’s visit to the city.
Addressing reporters, Mamdani firmly dismissed Netanyahu’s claims. “I think we all understand that what the prime minister stated in that video isn’t accurate,” he asserted. “The reality is, he’s under an International Criminal Court warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
The arrest warrant was issued by the ICC in November 2024, citing claims of war crimes, which Netanyahu and his government have denounced as unfounded.
In his remarks, Mamdani didn’t hold back, making additional severe accusations against Netanyahu as he prepares to address the United Nations General Assembly. “He is the architect of horrific genocide against Palestinians,” he stated, referencing a recent incident where an 11-year-old boy was killed in Gaza, which is considered a safe zone.
Earlier, Netanyahu had publicly criticized Mamdani in a video. “Shame on you, Mr. Mamdani. Shame on you for supporting the Hamas terrorists who butchered our people,” he said, promising to reveal “the truth” about Mamdani when he speaks at the U.N.
The dispute seems to exacerbate an already tense relationship between the two leaders. Mamdani had previously considered whether New York City could execute the ICC warrant against Netanyahu, although he later acknowledged that enforcing it wasn’t within the city’s authority.
In the course of this saga, Mamdani has labeled Netanyahu a “war criminal” and maintained that he would not be welcome in New York City. “Let me be very clear: Netanyahu is not welcome here, nor is any other war criminal,” he declared. While he supports the right of New Yorkers to protest during Netanyahu’s visit, Mamdani has been cautious not to incite demonstrations himself, stating that he has never encouraged them but respects the right of individuals to express their views.
When asked about their recent discussions, Mamdani highlighted that his meeting with President Trump was primarily about city issues and did not delve extensively into Netanyahu’s visit. “However, regarding the prime minister, I’ve made my position abundantly clear,” he concluded.
