Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a direct attack on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, 24 September, accusing him of antisemitism and spreading false claims about Israel.
'Shame on you,' Netanyahu said from the UN podium in New York after criticising those accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. His remarks escalated a public confrontation between the Israeli leader and the mayor of the city hosting the gathering.
Netanyahu Singles Out Mamdani at UN
Netanyahu grouped Mamdani with critics he accused of spreading lies about Israel and its military, calling him the 'antisemitic mayor of New York'.
'Shame on you for distorting the facts. Shame on you for inverting victim and aggressor,' Netanyahu said before accusing Mamdani of 'spitting in the face of truth'. Netanyahu then claimed that many Jewish residents no longer felt safe in New York since Mamdani became mayor, saying some had personally raised concerns with him.
Mamdani has rejected accusations that he is antisemitic and has said he opposes antisemitism and other forms of hate. His administration has maintained a dedicated Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism and proposed additional funding for hate-crime prevention.
Netanyahu also accused Mamdani of praising individuals convicted of supporting Hamas and attacked some of the mayor's associations. He further criticised Mamdani for accusing Israel of genocide, an allegation Netanyahu strongly rejects.
Feud Escalated Before Netanyahu Arrived
The confrontation had been building before Netanyahu reached the UN.
Mamdani has repeatedly called Netanyahu a 'war criminal' and criticised Israel's military campaign in Gaza. The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024 after judges found reasonable grounds to believe he bore responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Netanyahu and Israel reject the allegations.
Ahead of the visit, Mamdani acknowledged that New York City authorities did not have the power to arrest Netanyahu but called on federal authorities to act on the ICC warrant.
Netanyahu responded before travelling to New York by accusing Mamdani of supporting Hamas and inciting antisemitic unrest, claims the mayor disputes. He promised to use his UN appearance to 'tell the truth' about Mamdani.
During Thursday's speech, Netanyahu returned to that dispute. 'You tried to stop me from coming here. You tried to silence me,' he told Mamdani, before insisting that neither he nor what Netanyahu described as the truth could be silenced.
Mamdani Hits Back After Speech
Mamdani responded after Netanyahu's address by accusing the Israeli prime minister of repeating 'baseless lies' to defend his conduct in Gaza. The mayor also pointed again to the ICC warrant, saying it alleges war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Netanyahu's address unfolded in a visibly divided General Assembly. Numerous delegates walked out as he approached the podium, while others remained in the chamber.
The exchange turned a speech largely focused on Israel's wars and regional security into a highly personal confrontation with the mayor of its host city. For Mamdani and Netanyahu, the dispute now stretches beyond disagreements over Gaza. Their increasingly public feud has placed New York itself at the centre of a wider argument over Israel, antisemitism, protest and accountability.
