Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly criticised New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of promoting division and hostility towards Jewish residents ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in September. Speaking during an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu dismissed suggestions that he could face arrest during a visit to New York and confirmed that he intends to attend the annual UN gathering despite the ongoing political controversy.
Responding to questions about his planned visit, Netanyahu said he would travel to New York as scheduled and use the opportunity to present Israel's position before the international community. During the interview, he described Mamdani as a "hate-spewing" elected official and alleged that the mayor was encouraging divisions among New Yorkers. Netanyahu further compared the current atmosphere to the 1930s, arguing that anti-Jewish sentiment should not be tolerated in a democratic society.
The latest remarks follow comments made by Mamdani earlier this week, when he declined to engage in a public exchange with the Israeli leader. Speaking at an unrelated press conference in Brooklyn, the mayor said he was "not interested in getting into a back-and-forth" with Netanyahu. Instead, Mamdani stressed that ensuring the safety of Jewish residents remains one of his administration's highest priorities, noting that Jewish New Yorkers account for a significant proportion of hate crime victims in the city.
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Mamdani was also questioned about his previous statements regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC) and whether he had discussed those views with US President Donald Trump. While declining to reveal details of his conversation with the President, Mamdani reiterated that he had already made his position on the matter clear and preferred to keep discussions with Trump private. He did not directly respond to Netanyahu's criticism during the press conference.
The exchange comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions following a recent violent incident in Manhattan that authorities are investigating as a suspected hate crime. According to prosecutors, a suspect allegedly attacked two men in separate incidents, including a Jewish man who had just left a synagogue. The case has drawn widespread attention and renewed concerns about rising hate crimes targeting minority communities in New York City.
The public disagreement between Netanyahu and Mamdani highlights the growing political debate surrounding Israel, the ICC and public safety in New York. While Netanyahu has maintained that he will attend the UN General Assembly despite the criticism, Mamdani has continued to emphasise the importance of protecting all New Yorkers, including the city's Jewish community, while avoiding a direct political confrontation with the Israeli Prime Minister.
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