'Expect surprises.' Netanyahu and Mamdani feud ahead of UN arrival
The prime minister is set to arrive in New York City on Thursday and leave Thursday night, as he is scheduled to deliver remarks at the United Nations General Assembly.
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Fiery exchanges are being dished out over social media as tensions escalate between New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The prime minister is set to arrive in New York City on Thursday and leave Thursday night, as he is scheduled to deliver remarks at the United Nations General Assembly.
Netanyahu released a video on X ahead of his arrival with the caption "Heading out to the UN to fight for our truth. Expect surprises."
It follows a video he posted on Tuesday, where he responded to claims made by Mayor Mamdani in an interview he did with CNN, where he called the prime minister a war criminal.
"Shame on you, Mr. Mamdani. Shame on you for supporting the Hamas terrorist monsters who butchered our people. Shame on you for inciting riots against New York Jews," Netanyahu said.
The mayor was asked about the video on Tuesday at an unrelated press conference.
"Well, we all know that what the prime minister has said in that video is not true. What we do know to actually be the truth when it comes to the prime minister is that he is the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. And as the prime minister, he is the architect of a horrific genocide against Palestinians. And that just a few days ago, his military killed an 11-year-old boy in what is deemed to be a safe zone in Gaza. So, that is what I have to say to his video," Mamdani said.
The dispute intensified after Mamdani released a video in July calling for Netanyahu's arrest. The mayor later acknowledged he did not have the authority to take such action, but has continued to criticize the Israeli leader publicly. Netanyahu has also responded with sharp criticism of the mayor.
Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, said the public clash is unproductive and distracts both leaders from the responsibilities of their respective offices.
"This is not where the prime minister of Israel should be focusing on," Steinmetz said. "New York City Jews know how to handle their mayor. Let the prime minister of Israel worry about the state of Israel."
The first Jewish speaker of the New York City Council, Julie Menin, also weighed in on the dispute. In a recent interview, Menin said Netanyahu's comments risk escalating tensions at a time when antisemitic incidents remain a concern in New York City.
Steinmetz said political leaders should focus on serving their constituents rather than engaging in a transatlantic political battle.
"When you see two political leaders picking a fight with each other across an ocean, then you have to reflect on that and say it's probably because they think they will gain political advantage," Steinmetz said. "I would want both of those leaders to reflect on the fact that they have obligations and that they have to lead their own populations and bring the best possible solution to them."
The political dispute comes as several demonstrations are planned around Netanyahu's appearance in the city.
A rally against antisemitism featuring major Jewish organizations, including UJA-Federation of New York, is scheduled for Wednesday evening. On Thursday, a coalition of groups including the Democratic Socialists of America and the Palestinian Youth Movement plans to gather in Bryant Park before marching through Midtown to the United Nations headquarters.
New York City officials are expected to maintain a heightened security presence as thousands of world leaders, diplomats and demonstrators converge on Manhattan during the annual U.N. General Assembly.
