Netanyahu Accuses Mamdani of Fostering Fear

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed sharp criticism at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of inciting hate and creating a climate of fear among Jewish Americans in New York City. This follows Mamdani’s remarks calling Netanyahu a ‘war criminal’ and threatening his arrest.

In a related incident, a New York State assemblyman has urged the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct a civil rights investigation into Mayor Mamdani. This comes after two stabbings on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, which are being investigated as potential hate crimes. Michael Novakhov, a New York State Assemblyman representing Brooklyn’s District 45, made this call to action during an End Jew Hatred rally in New York City.

“If the DOJ intervened to protect Jewish students at Columbia, it should now act to guard Jewish New Yorkers,” Novakhov wrote on Instagram, referencing a federal investigation into alleged antisemitism at Columbia University.

The suspect in the stabbing incident, Raul Morales, 51, reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” before attacking two men. The victims, Chok Sung, 57, and Moshe Grunhaus, 50, are currently in stable condition, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James. The attacks occurred on Tisha B’Av, a significant day of mourning for Jews, emphasizing the neighborhood’s large Jewish population.

Pro-Israeli demonstrators gathered to protest against Mayor Mamdani, expressing their concerns about his earlier remarks on Netanyahu. Jewish leaders criticized Mamdani for labeling Netanyahu as the ‘architect of a horrific genocide.’ Mamdani had suggested Netanyahu should face accountability under the International Criminal Court’s warrant, despite the U.S. not recognizing ICC jurisdiction.

Assemblyman Novakhov emphasized that Jewish New Yorkers should not fear expressing their identity. He insisted on the necessity for answers, stating, “The Jewish community deserves answers. No one is above the law.”