New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has repeatedly called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” and an “architect of genocide.” While the mayor’s strong language toward Israel has drawn praise from some, he has been sharply criticized for not using comparable language toward Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who arrived in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
Critics demand consistent condemnation
Iranian‑born journalist Masih Alinejad, who survived an assassination attempt in Brooklyn, tweeted that Mamdani should “start with the man sleeping five miles from your office” and urged the mayor to view FBI files related to her case. Alinejad’s remarks highlighted the perceived double standard in the mayor’s rhetoric.
National security expert and ACT For America founder Brigitte Gabriel also condemned the discrepancy, noting that Iran is a sponsor of terrorism and that Pezeshkian is receiving a visa, hotel, and UN microphone in New York while the United States remains in open conflict with Tehran.
Diplomatic response
Israel’s U.N. ambassador Danny Danon told reporters that Mamdani should focus on New York City’s problems and stop “promoting anti‑Semitism, supporting Hamas, and engaging with the Iranian regime.” The Israeli envoy called the mayor’s comments “sowing chaos” ahead of Netanyahu’s UN appearance.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton (R‑Ark.) asked whether Mamdani was threatening to arrest Iranian officials responsible for “tens of thousands of deaths” or genuine war criminals from other countries. Cotton’s question underscored the stark contrast in the mayor’s statements.
Meeting with President Trump
Mayor Mamdani met with President Donald Trump in New York on Tuesday. After the meeting, Mamdani acknowledged that the two leaders hold “radically different views on Israel and the conflict in Iran.” The Trump administration has continued to support strong U.S. positions against Iran’s malign activities while maintaining a firm stance on Israel’s security.
Fox News Digital reached out to Mayor Mamdani for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
