<p class="wp-block-paragraph">New York Mayor <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/zohran-mamdani/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zohran Mamdani</a> stated that Israeli Prime Minister <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/benjamin-netanyahu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> was attempting to divert attention from the humanitarian crisis in Gaza when Netanyahu criticized Mamdani at the <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/united-nations/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">U.N.</a> General Assembly last week.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mamdani said, “All of this is an attempt to distract from responsibility. Name as many people as possible. Try and make it into a back and forth,” regarding Netanyahu’s strategy during a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ5V3pk6PEA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Thursday appearance</a> on Theo Von’s podcast.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He added, “It’s not about me and him. It’s about the fact that he’s the architect of a genocide. It’s like, yeah, if I was the architect of a genocide, I would probably talk about anything but that.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">On September 24, Netanyahu criticized Mamdani during a speech at the U.N. headquarters in <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/new-york-city/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">New York City</a> for alleging that Israel is responsible for genocide against the Palestinian people.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Netanyahu stated, “Here’s the simple truth: Israel didn’t commit genocide. Israel prevented genocide. And that’s exactly what Mr. Mamdani’s Hamas buddies would have done to us, had we not stopped them.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mamdani is known for his vocal criticism of <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/israel/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Israel</a> in relation to its conflict with Hamas in <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/gaza/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gaza</a>. Despite a ceasefire brokered by the United States last year, Israeli military operations continue in the Palestinian enclave.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">While discussing the situation with Von, Mamdani expressed that it was “strange” to be mentioned by Netanyahu on the global stage. He noted that he was meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten at the LGBT Community Center in Manhattan when he learned of Netanyahu's remarks.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“I get back from that meeting, and it’s like, ‘Oh, by the way, here’s what he was saying at the U.N.’ All right,” Mamdani said.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Before Netanyahu's arrival in New York City, Mamdani had expressed a desire to see him arrested under an <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/international-criminal-court/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">International Criminal Court</a> warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the conflict in Gaza. However, Mamdani does not have the authority to authorize such an arrest.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mamdani’s critics have accused him of promoting <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/antisemitism/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">antisemitism</a> through his anti-Israel statements. His administration released a plan to combat antisemitism earlier this week, but Jewish groups have criticized the effort, citing his ongoing criticism of the Israeli government.</p>