President Isaac Herzog praised President Donald Trump for his role in securing the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, sharply criticized the former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, and condemned New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a promoter of antisemitic rhetoric during a wide-ranging interview with Fox News.
Addressing the dismissal of former ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of criminal misconduct against him, Herzog claimed Khan sought arrest warrants against Israeli leaders to divert attention from the accusations he was facing.
“Karim Khan was supposed to come to Israel to meet with experts and senior leaders so he could better understand the reality on the ground and allow us to present him with the truth. Among others, he was scheduled to meet with me. On the very day he was supposed to board his flight, while he and his team were on their way to the airport, he suddenly filed requests for arrest warrants against Prime Minister Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Gallant, and other senior officials. Now, in hindsight, we know clearly that this was done to divert attention from the allegations against him.”
Herzog said Khan’s removal from office was a step toward justice and argued that the ICC should now go even further by abandoning the case against Israel altogether.
“When it comes to justice, words must be followed by action. The International Criminal Court in The Hague should dismiss the case entirely and not fall into the traps of lies and hatred that Karim Khan presented in order to cover for himself.”
Turning to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Herzog accused him of rejecting the Jewish people’s right to national self-determination and said his rhetoric endangers Jewish residents.
“Mamdani does not respect the right of the Jewish people to self-determination and to have a state of their own. He represents hatred and antisemitic rhetoric. He must understand that he is endangering his own citizens—their security, their well-being, and their lives.”
Herzog pointed to the recent stabbing of an Orthodox Jew in New York as evidence of the dangerous climate created by anti-Israel and antisemitic rhetoric.
“We saw the stabbing that took place just a few days ago on a street in New York simply because someone was dressed as an Orthodox Jew.”
He expressed confidence that New York’s identity would endure despite Mamdani’s leadership.
“New York will continue to be what it is long after Mamdani, and I hope he does not cause irreversible damage.”
Discussing Iran, Herzog described the Islamic Republic as a longstanding global threat whose ambitions extend well beyond Israel and the Middle East.
“They take the food and money of their own people and invest it in terrorism around the world. That is a fact. When people ask why a country like this seeks to spread so much terror across the globe, the answer is ideology. This ideology accepts no other religion—not even moderate Islam. That is why it is so dangerous.”
The president said Iran’s ballistic missile program, its activities around the Strait of Hormuz, its nuclear ambitions, its repression of its own citizens, and its sponsorship of regional terrorist proxies all demonstrate the danger the regime poses to international peace and stability.
Looking ahead to the future of Gaza, Herzog said the next phase could become a major turning point if Hamas is stripped of its military capabilities.
“This could be a significant breakthrough if it happens. We must remember that President Trump’s 20-point plan was approved by the United Nations Security Council, and the next stage is the disarmament of Hamas.”
He stressed that any lasting solution requires Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza.
“One thing must be absolutely clear—Hamas cannot govern Gaza and cannot continue turning it into a launching pad for terror and hatred. The people of Gaza deserve a better future, but to achieve that they will have to take their destiny into their own hands, disarm this terrible terrorist organization, and move toward a better future for the people of Gaza and the people of Israel.”
Herzog also highlighted the close relationship between Israel and the United States, praising President Trump’s support for the Jewish state.
He said Trump’s backing has been demonstrated through both his statements and his actions, describing the president’s relationship with Israel as one of extraordinary friendship and noting that the two countries continue to see eye to eye on most major issues.
Herzog also credited Trump with playing a pivotal role in securing the release of the 255 hostages who were held by Hamas following the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist massacre. While acknowledging that many individuals contributed to the effort, he said Trump deserved significant recognition for driving the negotiations.
Trump, Herzog said, “pushed and negotiated brilliantly” to bring the hostages home.