New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed reporters on Friday regarding his comments about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which some have linked to rising antisemitism. Mamdani described his remarks as 'objective facts' and clarified that they are critiques of political leadership rather than reflections on Judaism or personal opinions about Netanyahu.
Mamdani's comments came in the wake of a hate crime incident in Manhattan where two individuals were stabbed by a suspect who shouted 'Allahu Akbar.' One victim was Jewish, and the other was Asian. The mayor acknowledged a 30% increase in antisemitic incidents from 2024 to 2025, as reported by the Anti-Defamation League, and emphasized his commitment to combating hate crimes.
He stated, 'If anyone is perpetrating this kind of bigotry, that kind of hatred, they will be held fully accountable.' Mamdani highlighted an 800% increase in funding for the office of hate crime prevention to address the root causes of bigotry.
Mamdani has previously stated that he would support the arrest of Netanyahu if he visits New York City, a claim he reaffirmed while discussing ongoing conversations with the city’s law department about the authority of the New York Police Department regarding an International Criminal Court warrant. He later acknowledged that he does not have the legal authority to enforce such a warrant.
His remarks have drawn criticism, particularly from the United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York, which attributed the recent attacks to Mamdani’s rhetoric against Israel. Jeff Miller, chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, also criticized Mamdani, emphasizing the impact of language used by elected officials on the safety of Jewish communities.