Mamzarani/Satmar Again Calls Netanyahu A ‘War Criminal’ And ‘Architect Of Genocide’

 

אבינו מלכנו סטום פיות משטיננו ומקטריגנו

New York City Mayor, the Satmar, Zohran Mamdani on Monday again accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being a “war criminal” and the “architect of a horrific genocide” of Palestinians in Gaza, repeating language he has used since last year’s campaign as the Israeli leader prepares to address the United Nations.

Satmar/Mamdani made the remarks in an exclusive interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, according to CNN transcripts and reporting. “When it comes to Benjamin Netanyahu, I have described him as I believe him to be — a war criminal and an architect of a horrific genocide of the Palestinian people,” he said.​

The comments come days before Netanyahu is scheduled to speak at the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Thursday. Israel confirmed last week that the prime minister will travel to the city for the address.​

Satmar/Mamdani campaigned last year on directing the New York Police Department to arrest Netanyahu if he entered the city, citing a November 2024 International Criminal Court warrant accusing the Israeli leader of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza war. After taking office, the mayor’s Law Department reviewed the question and concluded the city lacks independent legal authority to enforce the warrant. Mamdani then called on the federal government to act instead.​

The United States is not a party to the ICC. President Donald Trump has said Netanyahu will not be arrested while in the United States. Israel has rejected the ICC charges as politically motivated and denies that its military campaign in Gaza constitutes genocide, describing the operation as self-defense following the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.​

Satmar/Mamdani has previously said he considers the Oct. 7 attacks a “horrific war crime” while maintaining his characterization of Israel’s subsequent campaign. Jewish organizations and Israeli officials have condemned the mayor’s language as inflammatory and a blood libel, particularly given New York’s large Jewish population and a rise in antisemitic incidents since 2023. Students from several Jewish day schools gathered outside Gracie Mansion last week for morning prayers in a public show of presence ahead of the U.N. visit.​

Netanyahu has previously accused the Satmarer Mamdani of fomenting hate and aligning himself with Hamas. The prime minister’s office has not issued an immediate response to Monday’s interview. Protests are expected outside U.N. headquarters during the General Assembly session.

The ICC warrant remains unenforced. Legal analysts have long said a U.S. city mayor has no power to detain a visiting foreign head of government.