Netanyahu accuses New York mayor of supporting Hamas ahead of UN address

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video on social media on Tuesday, days before his scheduled speech at the United Nations General Assembly, in which he addressed New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. In the video, Netanyahu said "shame on you" and accused the mayor of backing Hamas and inciting riots against Jews in New York. He added that he would speak about the mayor at the UN on Thursday.

Mamdani, who has publicly supported a Palestinian state, responded at a press conference, saying he has described Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel as a war crime. He also referenced an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and called the Israeli leader responsible for a genocide against Palestinians. Mamdani noted that children continue to be killed in Gaza's designated safe zones. He previously said he would honor the ICC warrant if Netanyahu visited New York, later acknowledging he lacks the authority to enforce it.

"We have labeled the Oct. 7 attack a horrific war crime," Mamdani told reporters. "Netanyahu is the architect of a horrific genocide against Palestinians," he added.

The exchange highlights heightened tensions between the two officials ahead of the UN meeting.