Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Netanyahu Attacks Mamdani at UN Over Jewish Safety
Benjamin Netanyahu is Israel’s prime minister, and Zohran Mamdani is New York City’s mayor.
They have strongly disagreed about Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Netanyahu says Mamdani’s criticism makes Jewish people in New York feel less safe.
He also called Mamdani antisemitic and said he spread lies about Israel.
Mamdani says criticizing Israel and supporting Palestinians is not antisemitic.
Mamdani previously said he would try to have Netanyahu arrested if Netanyahu visited New York.
He later said New York City officials did not have the legal power to make that arrest under an International Criminal Court warrant.
Netanyahu discussed the dispute during a speech to the United Nations General Assembly.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of making Jewish New Yorkers feel unsafe.
Netanyahu called Mamdani antisemitic and accused him of spreading lies about Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Mamdani has criticized Israel’s Gaza campaign, called Netanyahu a war criminal, and described it as genocide against Palestinians.
Mamdani previously said he would pursue Netanyahu’s arrest if he visited New York, but later acknowledged that city officials lacked the authority to act on an International Criminal Court warrant.
Netanyahu made the accusations during a United Nations General Assembly speech on September 25, 2026, while Mamdani’s office did not immediately comment.
- Who
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani; U.S. President Donald Trump was also mentioned.
- What
- Netanyahu publicly criticized Mamdani over Jewish safety, his statements about Israel’s actions in Gaza, and his earlier position on arresting Netanyahu.
- When
- September 25, 2026; Netanyahu made the remarks on a Thursday during a United Nations General Assembly speech.
- Where
- The remarks were made at the United Nations and concerned New York City, Israel, and Gaza.
- Why
- Netanyahu objected to Mamdani’s criticism of Israel and previous support for arresting him; Mamdani has said his criticism reflects opposition to Israel’s Gaza campaign and support for Palestinian rights.
Mamdani’s Position
Netanyahu’s Position
Jewish safety and antisemitism
Mamdani’s Position
Mamdani says that criticizing Israel and advocating for Palestinian rights do not amount to antisemitism. His office did not immediately comment on Netanyahu’s speech.
Netanyahu’s Position
Netanyahu called Mamdani antisemitic and said his statements had made many Jewish New Yorkers feel unsafe.
Israel’s actions in Gaza
Mamdani’s Position
Mamdani has repeatedly accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, called Netanyahu a war criminal, and described him as the architect of a horrific genocide against Palestinians.
Netanyahu’s Position
Netanyahu rejected Mamdani’s criticism, accused him of spreading lies about Israel, and criticized his repeated genocide allegations.
Arrest authority
Mamdani’s Position
Mamdani previously said he would direct New York police to execute an International Criminal Court warrant against Netanyahu, later acknowledged that city officials lacked the legal authority, and encouraged the federal government to arrest him.
Netanyahu’s Position
Netanyahu said Mamdani had tried to stop him from coming to New York and silence him. U.S. President Donald Trump has said Netanyahu will not be arrested.
- Israeli prime minister
- Benjamin Netanyahu
- New York City mayor
- Zohran Mamdani
- Main accusation
- Netanyahu said Mamdani was endangering Jewish New Yorkers and making Jews feel unsafe.
- Gaza dispute
- Mamdani has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, while Netanyahu called those claims lies.
- Mamdani’s characterization
- Mamdani has called Netanyahu a war criminal and the architect of genocide against Palestinians.
- Arrest issue
- Mamdani previously said he would pursue Netanyahu’s arrest if he visited New York, but later acknowledged that city officials lacked the necessary authority.
- International setting
- Netanyahu made the remarks during a United Nations General Assembly speech on September 25, 2026.
