Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticized New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani following the mayor’s public condemnation of Netanyahu’s policies in Gaza. Speaking on Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures” on Sunday, Netanyahu accused Mamdani of “fomenting hate” and seeking to create division between communities.
Last week, Mamdani called Netanyahu a “war criminal” and the “architect of a horrific genocide” during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The mayor reiterated his stance from his mayoral campaign in which he pledged to enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against Netanyahu. Mamdani stated, however, that while he supports the ICC’s position, his office lacks the jurisdiction to carry out the warrant issued in 2024.
Netanyahu defended his planned visit to New York this fall to address the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing his intention to “fight for the truth of the Jewish people.” He dismissed attempts to label him as a criminal, noting that visiting world leaders typically receive diplomatic protections while attending the UN, and highlighting that the United States is not a party to the ICC.
The political tension contrasts with Netanyahu’s previous interactions with New York’s city leadership. At last year’s UN summit, Netanyahu met with then-Mayor Eric Adams, who expressed strong support for the prime minister. Adams, who identifies as a “brother” of Israel, described the meeting as an opportunity to thank Netanyahu for “defending the Western world and our way of life.”
The dispute underscores the broader international controversy surrounding Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the implications of ICC investigations into alleged war crimes. While Mamdani has vocally condemned Netanyahu, his capacity to act remains limited within the jurisdictional framework of U.S. law. Netanyahu’s response signals a determination to use international platforms such as the UN General Assembly to counter allegations and assert his government’s position amid ongoing global scrutiny.