New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing renewed criticism after a 2023 video resurfaced in which he described Israel as "an idea" rather than a country. The remarks have drawn scrutiny as Mamdani's administration explores the city's legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York for the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
Mamdani has stated that his administration is consulting with the New York City Law Department regarding the potential arrest of Netanyahu, citing the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrants. The ICC issued warrants in November 2024 for Netanyahu over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the conflict in Gaza.
"I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague," Mamdani said in a recent interview, referring to the seat of the ICC. "He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court."
In the resurfaced 2023 clip from the "Here & Everywhere: The Solidarity Roundtables" podcast, Mamdani questioned the basis of American politicians' support for Israel, suggesting their positions were outdated. "For so many people, Israel is a not a place. It is not the country, it's an Idea," he stated, adding that the concept of a two-state solution had become physically impossible due to the lack of contiguous Palestinian territory.
Critics have seized on Mamdani's past statements, viewing them as indicative of a broader pattern of anti-Israel rhetoric and an alienation of the Jewish community. "His knowledge is shallow and mainly talking points, and whatever position he takes does not affect his life in NYC or in his ancestral homeland," commented Hussain Abdul-Hussain, a research fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.
Commentators on social media platform X have also voiced strong opinions. One user called Mamdani "deranged on this issue, an extremist at the end of the day." Others drew parallels to criticisms of American exceptionalism, while Aviva Klompas, CEO of pro-Israel education group Boundless, countered that "Israel is certainly an idea: that after centuries of exile, persecution, and statelessness, the Jewish people should enjoy the same right to self-determination as every other nation." She further emphasized that "Israel is very much a place. It's where nearly 10 million people wake up every morning, raise children, build businesses, argue about politics, celebrate holidays, and live their lives."
Mamdani has been a vocal critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, accusing the country of genocide and expressing support for pro-Palestinian causes. He notably skipped New York City's annual Israel Day Parade in May, marking the first time a sitting mayor missed the event since its inception in 1964. Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to visit New York in September for the UN General Assembly.
Mamdani, who is Ugandan-born and Muslim, won the Democratic Party primary for New York City mayor in June. He was seen marching with Senator Bernie Sanders in an image from November 2025.