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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of “fomenting hate” and claimed that his criticism of Israel contributed to an atmosphere of fear among Jewish residents.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu launched one of his strongest attacks yet on Mamdani, who has emerged as one of the most prominent American critics of Israel’s war in Gaza and has pledged that he would arrest the Israeli leader should he visit New York.
Mamdani later admitted he does not have the authority to do so and called on US officials to act on the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for the Israeli Prime Minister over alleged war crimes.
US President Donald Trump has, however, said Netanyahu would not be “arrested, in any way, shape or form” while in the country.
Netanyahu accused Mamdani of failing to represent all New Yorkers and of inflaming divisions.
“He’s fomenting hate. He’s supposed to be the mayor of all New Yorkers, Jews, Christians, Muslims, everyone. But he’s trying to turn one group against the other, and he’s foisting hate and fear,” Netanyahu said.
The Israeli leader said Jewish residents in New York had expressed concern over what he described as a rise in antisemitism.
“I speak to Jewish Americans in New York, and they’re afraid right now. And I don’t think it’s accidental that after he made this hate speech against Israel and against me, the next day, a Jew is stabbed coming out of a synagogue,” Netanyahu said.
Referring to the reported attack, he added: “I think, and with a cry of, ‘Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar.’ And you know what that means. So, I think that it’s shameful.”
The comments mark the latest escalation in a growing war of words between Netanyahu and Mamdani, a democratic socialist whose outspoken support for Palestinian rights has made him a polarising figure.
Mamdani has repeatedly condemned Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, accused the Israeli government of committing grave human rights abuses and vowed to align New York City’s policies with international law.
Netanyahu argued that Mamdani’s rhetoric was harmful to both New York and broader efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East.
“This thing is very bad for New York. I think it’s very bad for peace,” he said.
Despite the criticism, Netanyahu said he would continue defending Israel on the international stage.
“But the answer to your question, I intend to come and speak the truth, speak for Israel and for the Israeli-American alliance, from the podium of the United Nations,” he said.
The exchange follows heightened political tensions over the Israel-Hamas war, which has sharply divided opinion in the United States.
Supporters of Israel have warned of increasing antisemitism following the conflict, while pro-Palestinian activists, including Mamdani, argue that criticism of the Israeli government should not be equated with hatred toward Jewish people.
