Netanyahu Targets Mamdani In UN Address; Accuses Him Of Antisemitism

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly targeted New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, accusing him of antisemitism and rejecting his allegations against Israel.

Netanyahu told Mamdani, Shame on you, and accused him of distorting the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

Netanyahu was responding to Mamdani’s criticism of Israel and his previous accusations against the Israeli leader over the Gaza war.

Mamdani had also discussed the possibility of arresting Netanyahu over the International Criminal Court’s warrant but later acknowledged that he could not legally carry out such an arrest as New York mayor.

During his UN speech, Netanyahu rejected allegations that Israel had committed genocide and said Israel had acted to prevent attacks against its people. He also claimed that many Jewish New Yorkers no longer felt safe and criticised Mamdani over his views and associations.

Netanyahu also referred to Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, and alleged that she had liked social media posts praising the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and questioning Israel’s existence.

NYPD data has shown an increase in antisemitic hate crimes in New York City this year. The department reported that confirmed antisemitic hate crimes rose by 9 per cent during the first eight months of 2026, while more than half of all confirmed hate crimes targeted Jewish New Yorkers.

Mamdani rejected Netanyahu’s claims and cited the ICC warrant alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity.

More than 100 people were arrested during protests near the UN as Netanyahu addressed the General Assembly.

The exchange highlighted their differing positions on Israel, Gaza and the ICC warrant.

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