New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has sparked a rare unity among Israel's political factions after accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of war crimes and genocide. The 34-year-old socialist mayor's video, posted July 21, amassed over 58 million views on X, 8.5 million on Facebook, and nearly 2 million on YouTube within 24 hours.
Mamdani declared Netanyahu "not welcome in New York City," labeling him "a war criminal, the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people." He alleged Israeli forces deliberately targeted hospitals, starved civilians, and killed aid workers, adding, "We, as Americans, pay for the bombs that do the killing."
Israeli Leaders Condemn Mamdani's Remarks
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett criticized Mamdani on X, stating his claims "place you on the wrong side of history" alongside Hamas supporters. Gadi Eisenkot, a rival candidate for prime minister, called the remarks "pure antisemitism" with "no basis in fact." Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar shared a war scholar's assessment that Israel took steps to protect civilians while Hamas sought to escalate casualties.
Benny Gantz, another Netanyahu opponent, accused Mamdani of "parroting Hamas lies" and "political theater," urging him to focus on New York. The UJA-Federation of New York and Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt also denounced the comments, with Greenblatt linking Mamdani's stance to rising antisemitism.
Domestic and Diplomatic Fallout
Mamdani's legal team acknowledged he cannot arrest Netanyahu, a point underscored by New York's political realities. The mayor's criticism of American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as "monsters" reflects broader left-wing shifts on Israel policy. Israeli officials worry such rhetoric could influence future U.S. foreign policy if similar voices gain federal power.
While New York mayors have historically weighed in on Israel, like Rudolph Giuliani expelling Yasser Arafat in 1995 or Michael Bloomberg's 2009 solidarity visit, Mamdani's approach marks a stark departure. Critics argue his focus on international issues distracts from local challenges like economic decline and taxpayer flight.