New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s accusations that he supports Hamas and encourages hostility towards Jewish New Yorkers. Their dispute has intensified ahead of Netanyahu’s expected visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, with Mamdani calling Netanyahu responsible for alleged war crimes and the suffering of Palestinians.

Mamdani cited the International Criminal Court’s 2024 arrest warrant for Netanyahu, which Israel rejects, and accused him of being the “architect” of genocide in Gaza. Netanyahu said he would use his UN appearance to defend Israel’s soldiers and expose what he called Mamdani’s support for terrorism and incitement; Mamdani has supported New Yorkers’ right to protest but says he is not encouraging demonstrations.