Mamdani Again Targets Netanyahu, Calling Israeli PM A ‘War Criminal’ And ‘Architect Of A Horrific Genocide’

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is once again publicly attacking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, standing behind some of his strongest accusations against the Israeli leader as Netanyahu prepares to visit New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

Speaking ahead of Netanyahu’s expected arrival, Mamdani reiterated his description of the Israeli prime minister as a “war criminal” and the “architect of a horrific genocide,” accusations Israel and Netanyahu strongly reject.

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Despite his rhetoric, Mamdani said he does not plan to personally participate in demonstrations surrounding Netanyahu’s visit. Instead, he said his immediate responsibility as mayor is ensuring New Yorkers remain safe and that the city continues functioning amid the expected protests and heightened security.

“I’ve been very clear to New Yorkers about what I believe, what I see. I stand by what I’ve said,” Mamdani told ABC7, adding that his job during the General Assembly is to make sure events proceed “safely” and “smoothly.”

The comments revive a controversy that followed Mamdani throughout his rise to City Hall.

During his mayoral campaign, Mamdani repeatedly discussed having Netanyahu arrested in New York based on the International Criminal Court’s warrant against the Israeli leader. After taking office, however, his administration reviewed the issue and concluded that New York City does not independently have the legal authority to carry out the ICC warrant.

Mamdani subsequently called on the federal government to act instead, declaring that Netanyahu was “not welcome in New York City.”

The United States is not a member of the ICC. President Donald Trump has also publicly rejected the possibility that Netanyahu would be arrested while visiting the United States.

Netanyahu and Israel have rejected allegations of genocide and war crimes, maintaining that Israel’s military campaign has targeted Hamas following the October 7 massacre while taking measures intended to limit civilian casualties.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, has accused Mamdani of “fomenting hate” and attempting to turn communities against one another.

The Israeli prime minister is expected in New York as world leaders gather for the UN General Assembly, setting the stage for another highly charged confrontation between the mayor of America’s largest city and the leader of the Jewish state.

I deliberately separated Mamdani’s accusations from established fact and included Israel’s response, which makes the article stronger editorially while retaining the sharper JBN framing.