[Video below.] Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio forcefully defended Muslim socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a contentious appearance on Fox News Monday, echoing Mamdani’s attacks on Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and declaring that Netanyahu is “literally a war criminal.” The remarks add to the growing political firestorm over Mamdani’s repeated calls to have the Israeli leader arrested if he visits New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September.

During the interview, de Blasio acknowledged the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre in southern Israel, in which approximately 1,200 people were murdered, but argued that Israel’s military response in Gaza had exceeded what he considered justifiable. He insisted, “Two wrongs don’t make a right,” while making clear that he supports Mamdani’s criticism of Netanyahu.

De Blasio’s comments come just days after Mamdani released a video announcing that his administration had examined whether New York City possessed the legal authority to arrest Netanyahu during a potential September visit. After consulting with city attorneys, Mamdani acknowledged that the city has no such authority, though he nevertheless continued referring to the Israeli premier as a “war criminal” and urged the federal government to enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant instead.

The controversy stems from Mamdani’s long-standing campaign pledge to seek Netanyahu’s arrest should he enter New York City. Although he has since conceded that municipal officials cannot carry out such an arrest, the issue has sparked nationwide debate and drawn sharp responses from leaders across the political spectrum.

President Donald Trump weighed in on the dispute last week, making clear that Netanyahu would be protected during any visit to the United States. Trump declared that the Israeli prime minister “will not be arrested” while on American soil, directly rejecting Mamdani’s position.

The escalating feud has also prompted a public exchange between Mamdani and Netanyahu. After Mamdani recently declared that Netanyahu is “not welcome” in New York City, the Israeli prime minister vowed to travel to New York regardless and dismissed the accusations against him, describing the International Criminal Court’s allegations as baseless while accusing Mamdani of encouraging hostility through his rhetoric.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity connected to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Israel has categorically rejected the allegations, calling the ICC politically motivated and lacking jurisdiction over Israeli officials. The United States likewise does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction over American or Israeli nationals.

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{Matzav.com}