<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday criticized New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a speech at the U.N. General Assembly, referring to Hamas as the mayor’s “buddies.”</p>
<p>Netanyahu expressed his discontent with Mamdani's criticism of Israel, highlighting that the mayor had attempted to have him arrested while he was in New York City for the gathering of world leaders.</p>
<p>“Here’s the simple truth: Israel didn’t commit genocide,” Netanyahu stated. “Israel prevented genocide. And that’s exactly what Mr. Mamdani’s Hamas buddies would have done to us, had we not stopped them.”</p>
<p>Mamdani has been a vocal critic of Israel, alleging that the country is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. On Wednesday night, he invited Palestinian families from Gaza to plant an olive tree at Gracie Mansion, and a video showed him dining with the families.</p>
<p>In his address, Netanyahu also spoke against those he claimed were spreading falsehoods about Israel being the aggressor in the conflict. He cited Israel's efforts to inform Palestinians about the dangers posed by Hamas and mentioned humanitarian actions, including vaccinations and food deliveries.</p>
<p>“To all those spreading these lies about my country and about our brave soldiers, whether they sit in this hall or in the office of the antisemitic mayor of New York, I say this: Shame on you, shame on you for distorting the facts, shame on you for inverting victim and aggressor, shame on you for spitting in the face of truth,” Netanyahu said.</p>
<p>Netanyahu also commented on Mamdani's leadership in New York City, stating that his opposition to Israel has made many Jews in the city feel unsafe. “Mr. Mamdani, since you were elected mayor of this city, many Jews no longer feel safe in New York,” he said.</p>
<p>Additionally, Netanyahu criticized Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, a supporter of Mamdani, for his controversial remarks regarding Israel and U.S. foreign policy. “Now it’s no wonder you praise criminals convicted of supporting Hamas. You count as friends people like Hasan Piker, who said America deserved 9/11,” Netanyahu remarked.</p>
<p>He addressed Mamdani’s attempt to arrest him while attending the U.N. General Assembly, stating, “Mr. Mamdani, you try to stop me from coming here. You tried. You tried to silence me. Well, you can’t silence me.”</p>
<p>Mamdani had suggested he would carry out an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Netanyahu, but later acknowledged that he lacked the legal authority to enforce it. The ICC has issued a warrant for Netanyahu, charging him with allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which he denies.</p>
<p>While Netanyahu spoke, approximately 250 protesters gathered outside the U.N. headquarters to demonstrate against him.</p>