The Prime Minister of Israel publicly rebuked Zohran Mamdani, accusing the mayor of New York of fostering an environment where Jews are no longer secure. During his remarks, Benjamin Netanyahu called Mamdani "anti-semitic" and alleged that the mayor attempted to block his arrival in the city to silence his voice. Netanyahu also denied claims that Israel committed genocide, asserting instead that the nation's actions prevented such an atrocity.

The confrontation follows a series of clashes in which Mamdani described Netanyahu as a war criminal and the architect of a genocide against the Palestinian people. Mamdani previously argued that if the International Criminal Court deems an individual worthy of arrest for law violations, that person should be held accountable, regardless of their position.