New York Governor Kathy Hochul publicly defended New York City Mayor Adams Mamdani against accusations made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the mayor’s stance on Hamas and his alleged role in inciting violence against Jewish residents. The governor’s comments came during an interview with WNYC, released Thursday, ahead of Netanyahu’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

Netanyahu had posted a video message on Tuesday accusing Mayor Mamdani of supporting Hamas and fomenting riots targeting Jewish New Yorkers. In the video, the prime minister referred to Hamas as “terrorist monsters” responsible for attacks on Israelis on October 7, 2023, and suggested that Mamdani’s rhetoric encouraged violence within New York City.

Governor Hochul rejected these assertions, stating that Netanyahu’s claims were false. She stressed that the mayor has consistently condemned Hamas as a terrorist organization, directly countering the prime minister’s accusations. “The mayor has never said he supports Hamas,” Hochul said. “He called them a terrorist organization, exactly at odds with what Netanyahu just said.”

Hochul further emphasized that Mayor Mamdani has not incited any attacks or riots against Jewish residents. “Not telling the truth is something that needs to be called out,” she said, adding that her disagreements with Netanyahu extend beyond this incident. She described Netanyahu’s statements as damaging to his own credibility.

The dispute highlights tensions between Israeli leadership and certain figures within New York City’s political sphere in the wake of recent Israeli-Palestinian violence. Mayor Mamdani has been critical of some Israeli government actions, which has drawn sharp rebuke from Netanyahu. Meanwhile, Governor Hochul’s defense of the mayor suggests political support for Mamdani’s approach and a call for accurate public discourse amid heightened sensitivities.