Mamdani brands Netanyahu ‘architect of genocide’ after hosting Trump

NEW YORK (MNTV) — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has again called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an “architect of genocide against Palestinians,” insisting that international accountability must apply to leaders accused of grave violations of international law, shortly after a notably cordial meeting with President Donald Trump.

In an interview with CNN, Mamdani described Netanyahu as “a war criminal” and “an architect of a horrific genocide against Palestinians in Gaza,” and said the Israeli leader should be subject to the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant when he travels to New York for the UN General Assembly. 

The ICC issued warrants in November 2024 for Netanyahu and his former defence minister over war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza; a UN commission of inquiry and leading rights groups have separately concluded that Israel’s campaign amounts to genocide, a charge Israel rejects.

Mamdani said he raised accountability during his meeting with Trump at Gracie Mansion, the mayoral residence, arguing that no leader should be above the law. 

He has previously said Netanyahu should be arrested if he entered the city, but has since acknowledged he lacks the legal authority to do so, and said he will not join planned demonstrations around Netanyahu’s visit.

Netanyahu, who is scheduled to address the General Assembly later in the week, has hit back at Mamdani and vowed to use his speech to attack the mayor.

The meeting with Trump marked a moment of political pragmatism.

Despite sharp differences over immigration and foreign policy, the two discussed federal immigration enforcement and a multibillion-dollar housing project, and Trump publicly praised Mamdani, who said he would engage with anyone able to deliver tangible relief for New Yorkers.

The exchange places the war in Gaza and the ICC warrant back before a global audience as world leaders gather in New York — a Muslim mayor of America’s largest city pressing the case for accountability against a visiting head of government his own guest, the U.S. president, continues to shield.