Benjamin Netanyahu is picking a fight before he even lands. The Israeli prime minister on Monday accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of “fomenting hate” — a direct shot at the progressive Democrat ahead of Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to the United States.
Netanyahu’s office released a statement calling Mamdani “an extremist who spreads antisemitic rhetoric” and urged American Jewish leaders to “stand against this dangerous man.” The attack lands just days before Netanyahu is set to address the UN General Assembly and meet with President Biden.
The mayor who won’t back down
Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor of New York City, has been a thorn in Netanyahu’s side since taking office. He’s called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, backed the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, and refused to meet with Israeli diplomats. In April, he pulled city funds from bonds tied to Israeli defense contractors.
“Netanyahu’s smear is a badge of honor,” said a senior aide to Mamdani, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The mayor stands with human rights, not war crimes.”
Netanyahu’s accusation of “fomenting hate” is a deliberate escalation. It’s not just about Mamdani — it’s about signaling to right-wing donors and evangelical supporters back home that he’s still the tough guy, even as his coalition teeters.
A diplomatic tightrope
Biden’s White House has kept Mamdani at arm’s length. The president needs New York’s votes in November, but he also needs Israel’s cooperation on Iran and regional stability. So the official line is: “We don’t comment on foreign politicians’ remarks about American mayors.”
But behind closed doors, aides are sweating. Mamdani’s approval ratings in New York sit at 52% — higher than Biden’s in the city. He’s a rising star on the left, and Netanyahu just handed him a global microphone.
The real fight is over narrative
Netanyahu’s attack is a gift to Mamdani. The mayor’s team is already fundraising off it. Within hours, they sent a blast email: “Netanyahu called us hateful. We call it standing up for Palestinian lives. Chip in $5 to prove hate doesn’t win.”
The irony is thick. Netanyahu, who has compared Palestinian activists to Nazis, accuses others of fomenting hate. Mamdani, a former community organizer, has condemned antisemitism in his own ranks — but he refuses to bow to Israel’s far-right government.
“The prime minister should worry about his own corruption trials, not a mayor who beat cancer and won a landslide,” said Rabbi Ami Goodman, a Bronx-based progressive leader who backs Mamdani. “Calling Zohran an antisemite is cheap. It’s a smear that hurts the fight against real hate.”
Goodman’s point cuts deep. Mamdani’s coalition includes Orthodox Jews who oppose Netanyahu’s settlement policies. The mayor has spoken at Holocaust memorials and visited synagogues. He’s not antisemitic. He’s anti-occupation.
What happens next
Netanyahu lands Thursday. Protests are already planned. Mamdani hasn’t said whether he’ll meet the prime minister — but he has called for a “massive, peaceful demonstration” outside the UN. The clash is inevitable.
And it’s exactly what both men want. Netanyahu needs a foil to rally his base. Mamdani needs a villain to energize his. The loser? Any hope of dialogue.
This isn’t a diplomatic spat. It’s a preview of the next American election, where Israel and Gaza are becoming a litmus test for the Democratic Party. Mamdani is betting the future belongs to the left that won’t flinch. Netanyahu is betting on fear. One of them is wrong.
I know which way I’d bet.
