NYC Mayor Mamdani accuses Netanyahu of using UN speech to mask Gaza genocide
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Benjamin Netanyahu’s UN remarks were an attempt to divert attention from the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In a recent interview on Theo Von’s podcast, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani claimed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s sharp rebuke of him at the United Nations was designed to draw attention away from the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Mamdani labeled Netanyahu the “architect of a genocide” and said the prime minister’s speech was a deliberate distraction. He recounted hearing about the UN criticism after returning from a discussion with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten at the LGBT Community Center in Manhattan.
Mamdani reminded listeners that he had previously urged the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes, and he had even asked President Donald Trump to intervene, to no avail. Critics accuse Mamdani of antisemitism, noting that his administration’s recent antisemitism-combat plan has been dismissed by Jewish groups. The mayor’s comments underscore the deepening political divide over the Gaza war.
Why it matters
The exchange illustrates how political leaders may use high-profile platforms to shift focus from the Gaza humanitarian emergency.
How this story developed
- Sep 1 Israeli prime minister's wife faces libel claim over Oct. 7 accusations
- Sep 19 Netanyahu pledged legislation to strip citizenship from those who “defame” soldiers.
- Sep 22 Mayor Zohran Mamdani reiterated his view that Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal, noting the ICC’s arrest warrant but acknowledging he cannot detain the Israeli leader.
- Sep 23 Israel's Central Elections Committee barred the Joint List from the upcoming Knesset election, prompting the alliance to label the move racist and vow a Supreme Court appeal.
- Sep 24 The electoral commission has acted on two Arab party lists.
- Sep 24 Netanyahu announced he will use his UN appearance to directly attack New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
- Sep 24 Netanyahu delivered the UN address and a large walkout occurred.
- Sep 24 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a combative UN speech, attacking Iran, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and allies Britain, France and Turkey, prompting walkouts and protests.
- Sep 25 A mass walkout by UN delegates and arrests of protesters occurred after the speech.
- Sep 26 The film’s worldwide theatrical rollout began late September and a free online streaming launch was announced for November.
- Sep 26 Mamdani accused Netanyahu of lying and cited the ICC arrest warrant during his UN response.
- Sep 27 Netanyahu publicly urged right‑wing parties to merge ahead of the election.
- Sep 28 Netanyahu held a private hour‑long meeting with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi and asked him to publicly reject the allegation that the UAE had warned Israel of the Oct 7 attack.
- Sep 28 UAE's state news agency confirmed that Netanyahu arrived in Abu Dhabi for a high‑level meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
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