Israeli President Isaac Herzog has sharply criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, stating that Mamdani is spreading "hateful and antisemitic rhetoric" and endangering the lives of New Yorkers. The comments came after Mamdani posted a social media video on July 21, 2026, calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "war criminal" and "the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people."
"Mamdani does not respect my nation’s right for self-determination… the Jewish people’s inherent right to have a nation of their own. And he’s basically spreading blasphemy, hate, antisemitic rhetoric," Herzog told Fox News Digital in an interview from Jerusalem. "He should understand that he’s risking his own citizens, he’s risking their safety, well-being and life."
Hersog expressed concern that Mamdani's remarks were unacceptable in New York, a city he described as being "dear to our heart, dear to the Israelis, and dear to me personally." He added, "I think New York will continue way after Mamdani. And I hope he won’t create an irreversible damage."
The Israeli president also addressed the strategic threat posed by Iran, characterizing the regime as a decades-long threat to global stability. He noted that Iran diverts resources to funding global terror activities, driven by an ideology that he described as intolerant of other religions or moderate Islam. Herzog cited Iran’s missile program, activities around the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear ambitions, domestic repression, and support for regional proxies as evidence of its threat to U.S. national security interests, adding that many Americans have been killed by the Islamic Republic.
Discussing the U.S.-Israel relationship, Herzog highlighted what he described as strong, bipartisan support for Israel in the United States, rooted in shared values. He specifically praised former President Donald Trump’s administration for actions such as relocating the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Herzog also credited Trump with playing a role in securing the return of 255 hostages held by Hamas after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack.
Herzog linked any perceived decline in American support for Israel, particularly among younger demographics, to well-funded disinformation campaigns on social media. He invited young Americans to visit Israel to see the country for themselves, describing it as a hub for innovation in health, energy, science, agriculture, and food security.
Regarding a recent $1.15 trillion annual defense policy bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, which saw limited Democratic support, Herzog described it as a "red light" but not an indication of the end of U.S.-Israel relations or bipartisan dialogue. He recalled speaking to a joint session of Congress three years prior, which he said garnered nearly 30 standing ovations, and acknowledged the existence of criticism, campaigns against Israel on campuses, and the flow of money to attack Israel, as well as Israel's own mistakes.
Hersog also commented on the controversy surrounding the dismissal of International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan. Herzog suggested that Khan pushed forward with arrest warrants against Netanyahu and others to distract from sexual assault allegations against him. He stated that Khan's staff were en route to meet with Israeli officials when the orders were issued, and that the case should be dropped to prevent the ICC from falling into "the trap of hate and lies that Karim Khan presented simply to cover for himself."
Herzog also discussed the ongoing efforts to advance the next phase of a Gaza ceasefire, praising U.S. administration efforts. He noted that a 20-point plan by former President Trump, approved by the UN Security Council, includes the disarmament of Hamas. Herzog asserted that the people of Gaza deserve a better life and that a viable plan exists to change the future, but emphasized that "Hamas cannot control Gaza and cannot turn it into a launching pad for terror and hate anymore."