[Video below.] Israeli President Isaac Herzog delivered a sharp rebuke of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of promoting antisemitic rhetoric that endangers Jewish residents and warning that his statements could have serious consequences for the city’s Jewish community.

In an interview with Fox News, Herzog said Mamdani rejects the Jewish people’s fundamental right to national self-determination and is fueling a dangerous climate of hostility.

He said that Mamdani doesn’t recognize “the Jewish people’s inherent right to have a nation of their own. And he’s basically spreading blasphemy, hate, antisemitic rhetoric. He should understand that he’s risking his own citizens, he’s risking their safety, well-being and life.”

Despite his criticism of the mayor, Herzog expressed confidence that New York City would ultimately endure beyond the current political moment.

“I think New York will continue way after Mamdani,” says Herzog. “And I hope he won’t create irreversible damage.”

Turning to relations between Washington and Jerusalem, Herzog praised President Donald Trump’s support for Israel, saying the relationship between the two countries remains exceptionally strong despite occasional disagreements.

Asked about US-Israel relations under US President Donald Trump, Herzog says that Trump “speaks from the heart when he speaks about his love and respect of Israel and his support of Israel.”

Herzog acknowledged that the two allies do not always see eye to eye on every issue, but emphasized that such differences have not diminished Israel’s appreciation for the president.

“We can have divisions over issues or some arguments, but that does not derogate from the enormous respect we have for President Trump,” says Herzog.

He went on to describe the U.S.-Israel alliance in deeply historic and spiritual terms.

“There is biblical and prophetic about the way our nations work together,” Herzog continues.

Herzog also addressed former International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan, claiming Khan had planned to visit Israel to discuss the country’s conduct during the war in Gaza but abruptly canceled the trip.

Herzog said that disgraced former International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan was supposed to come to Israel to meet him to investigate Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza, but canceled last minute.

“And only in hindsight now we know clearly that it was in order to divert attention from the ….allegations,” says Herzog.

The Israeli president argued that the ICC case against Israel should be abandoned, asserting that Khan’s actions were motivated by personal interests rather than justice.

“The case has to be dropped and the ICC should … not fall into the trap of hate and lies that Karim Khan presented simply to cover for himself,” says Herzog.

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}