NYC Mayor Mamdani calls PM Netanyahu 'architect of genocide' following meeting with Trump

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani renewed his accusations against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, calling him “a war criminal and an architect of a horrific genocide of the Palestinian people” following a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in New York.

Mamdani also reiterated his call for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to honor its arrest warrant against Netanyahu as the Israeli prime minister prepares to visit New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

Mamdani acknowledged that he does not have the legal authority to enforce the warrant, which the ICC issued against Netanyahu in November 2024 on allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

“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,” Mamdani told CNN following what was described as a “cordial meeting” with Trump.

Mamdani has repeatedly accused Israel of genocide in Gaza and has previously called Netanyahu a war criminal. In July, he said that New York City should honor ICC arrest warrants but later acknowledged that the city does not have the independent legal authority to enforce the warrant against Netanyahu.

Mamdani said he discussed the issue with Trump during Monday’s meeting at Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the New York City mayor.

“I do believe that that is something that should be honored, because what we want to see, and we’ve been talking about this today, is a faith in our politics, a faith in accountability,” Mamdani said.

“If the International Criminal Court deems someone worthy of an arrest because of a violation of those laws, then who are we to say that anyone should be above that? And I think very clearly that everyone should be held accountable to it,” the NYC mayor added.

Israel has strongly rejected accusations that it is committing genocide in Gaza. Israeli officials have argued that the Israel Defense Forces seeks to minimize civilian casualties while fighting Hamas, which Israel accuses of operating among Gaza’s civilian population.

Israel has also rejected the genocide allegations made against it in international proceedings.

The Trump administration has opposed the ICC’s actions against Israeli officials. The United States has imposed sanctions on ICC officials following the court’s actions involving Netanyahu and other Israeli figures.

Former ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, who sought the arrest warrant against Netanyahu, was dismissed by the court’s member states in July following allegations of serious misconduct. Khan has denied the allegations.

Some critics have argued that Khan’s actions against Netanyahu were connected to the allegations surrounding him, although such claims have not been established as fact.

In July, Netanyahu responded to Mamdani’s “genocide” accusation by arguing that the mayor should instead focus on addressing problems in New York.

“Instead of backing Khan's criminal behavior, Mr. Mamdani should focus on fixing the damage his policies have caused New York,” Netanyahu stated.

Trump has previously said Netanyahu would not be arrested on U.S. soil. Despite political differences with Mamdani, Trump said he hoped the mayor would succeed in leading New York City.

“Hopefully, you’re going to be a great [mayor]. I’ll be able to say you’re going to be a great one, and you’re off to a great start,” Trump stated during a joint news conference with Mamdani.

“We appreciate the president’s commitment to the city,” Mamdani responded.

“We’ve both spoken about very different approaches, very different beliefs, and I will continue to have conversations with the president, and frankly with anyone who can deliver relief to the people of this city,” Mamdani added.