Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to use his address to the United Nations in New York to attack Mayor Zohran Mamdani, intensifying a public feud that reflects the Israeli prime minister’s growing isolation ahead of elections he may lose.
Netanyahu has already addressed Mamdani in a video statement, saying he was travelling to New York “to tell the truth about our heroic soldiers” and “to tell the truth about you”. He also falsely accused the mayor of supporting Hamas militants.
The Israeli leader rejects allegations of war crimes. Mamdani, who took office in January, has described Netanyahu as “the architect of a horrific genocide against Palestinians”.
It will be Netanyahu’s first visit to New York since Mamdani became mayor. The confrontation has placed the two men at the centre of a dispute over Israel’s military conduct and the treatment of Palestinians.
Mamdani campaigned for office on a promise to have Netanyahu arrested for alleged war crimes if he visited the city. He later said he had concluded that he lacked the legal authority to carry out that pledge.
Netanyahu’s expected criticism of the mayor comes as opposition to his right-wing government is also being expressed outside Israel. Israelis opposed to the government are planning to protest during his visit to New York.
The prime minister’s appearance at the United Nations is therefore set to combine an international defence of Israeli soldiers with a direct political attack on one of his most prominent critics in the United States.
