Israeli President Isaac Herzog has strongly criticised New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of promoting antisemitic rhetoric and putting Jewish residents at risk.
In an interview with Fox News Digital at his official residence in Jerusalem, Herzog said Mamdani’s comments about Israel crossed a dangerous line.
According to the Israeli president, Mamdani does not recognise Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and has repeatedly used language that fuels hatred.
“He is spreading hate and antisemitic rhetoric. He should understand that this puts the safety and well-being of his own citizens at risk,” Herzog said.
His remarks followed a social media video posted by Mamdani on July 21, in which the New York politician described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “a war criminal” and “the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people.”
Herzog said such comments were unacceptable, especially in New York, a city with strong historical ties to both Israel and the Jewish community.
“This cannot be accepted in New York, a city that is very dear to Israelis and to me personally,” he added.
The Israeli leader also turned his attention to Iran, describing the country’s government as one of the greatest threats to global security.
He accused Tehran of spending public funds on terrorism instead of improving the lives of its citizens.
“They take their people’s money and spend it on terror across the world,” Herzog said.
He argued that Iran’s ideology encourages extremism and rejects both religious diversity and moderate Islam, making the regime a continuing source of instability in the Middle East and beyond.
