NBA star Kyle Kuzma has publicly criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani following the mayor's renewed condemnation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mamdani shared a social media video Tuesday renewing his criticism of Netanyahu and Israel's military campaign, urging the U.S. federal government to consider arresting the Israeli Prime Minister based on an International Criminal Court warrant.
Kuzma, who plays for the Milwaukee Bucks, responded to Mamdani's video on X (formerly Twitter), writing that he is witnessing people "cosplaying as things they don’t have the authority, the talent, or the track record to actually be. Just for content." He described Mamdani as "A mayor playing president." Kuzma elaborated, stating, "The clip is the career. The pose is the product. The soundbite is the substitute for a life’s work. Don't fall for distractions."
Mamdani, in his video, stated, "It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant. The federal government, however, does." He also declared, "Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City. Nor is any other war criminal at large."
The International Criminal Court issued accusations against Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in 2024 for alleged crimes against humanity during Israel's war in Gaza. Mamdani's office acknowledged that his intent to detain Netanyahu might face legal challenges, leading to his call for federal intervention.
Netanyahu is anticipated to be in Washington D.C. next week for a funeral and may travel to New York in September for the UN General Assembly. Earlier this week, former President Donald Trump defended Netanyahu on Truth Social, posting that the Israeli Prime Minister "will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America."
Mamdani's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding Kuzma's remarks. However, at an unrelated press conference, Mamdani addressed some criticism, stating, "I have made clear both that I believe that this is an arrest warrant that should be executed and also that I would follow the laws that we had."
Other figures also commented on Mamdani's statements. Republican New York City Council member Inna Vernikov questioned why Mamdani did not have his legal team evaluate the idea before making it a promise. Conservative commentator Stephen Miller described Mamdani's actions as "just another broken campaign promise."
International diplomacy is typically handled by the federal government, not local city governments, which underscores Mamdani's request for federal action. Mamdani's office previously drew attention when his international affairs chief reportedly attempted to meet with Iran's ambassador to the UN, an action that drew a rebuke from the State Department.