Israeli President: Palestinian Peace Requires Accepting Israel
Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's rhetoric against Israel, warning it fuels antisemitism and endangers Jewish communities in the city.
In an interview with Fox News Digital published Saturday, as reported by Emily Hallas in Washington Examiner, Herzog directly challenged Mamdani’s inflammatory statements targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The mayor has publicly demanded Netanyahu’s arrest, branding him a war criminal and labeling him the architect of what he termed genocide against Palestinians.
Herzog expressed alarm that such language fuels antisemitic hatred, particularly in New York City, home to the largest Jewish population of any American city. This cannot be accepted in New York, Herzog stated, noting the city’s deep significance to Israelis and the global Jewish community.
Mamdani has consistently rejected accusations of antisemitism. Yet his record on Jewish issues remains contentious. During his mayoral campaign last year, he refused to condemn the antisemitic slogans “globalize the intifada” and “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” claiming he interpreted them as expressions of a desire for equality. Controversy erupted again in March when his wife faced scrutiny over social media activity celebrating Hamas’s October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israeli civilians, including posts dismissing reports of Hamas rape of Jewish women as a fabrication.
Herzog accused Mamdani on Saturday of promoting hate-filled and antisemitic rhetoric that endangers his own constituents’ safety and wellbeing. The Israeli president argued that Mamdani fundamentally rejects Israel’s right to self-determination, a position that threatens both Palestinian prospects for lasting peace and Jewish security.
Israel remains a nation committed to peace, innovation, and humanitarian advancement, Herzog emphasized. He expressed hope for peace with regional neighbors, including Palestinians, but stressed this requires acceptance of Israel’s existence and recognition of its legitimate security requirements.
Herzog pointed to viable plans currently under discussion for improving conditions in Gaza, including substantial financial commitments and development initiatives. However, he insisted one principle must remain non-negotiable: Hamas cannot retain control of Gaza or maintain it as a terrorist staging ground.
ICC Warrant Controversy
Mamdani and other Israel critics have cited the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu on genocide and war crimes charges as vindication of their position. Herzog challenged the warrant’s legitimacy this week, noting it was issued under questionable circumstances.
The Israeli president noted that ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan issued the arrest warrants against Netanyahu amid allegations Khan sexually assaulted a staff member—allegations that ultimately led ICC member states to vote for his removal from leadership. Herzog suggested the timing was calculated to deflect attention from Khan’s personal scandal.
The clash highlights deepening tensions between progressive American political figures and Israel amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Hamas held power until recent ceasefire negotiations began producing withdrawal agreements.
With information from Washington Examiner
