Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani have traded accusations over Netanyahu’s planned visit to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, with Mamdani rejecting the Israeli PM’s remarks about him.

Netanyahu, in a video posted before leaving for New York, addressed Mamdani over the mayor’s criticism of Israel and his position on the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for the Israeli PM.

“Shame on you, Mr. Mamdani for supporting the Hamas terrorist monsters who butchered our people,” Netanyahu said.

“I’m coming to the U.N., I’m going to tell the truth about our heroic soldiers and I’m going to tell the truth about you.”

Mamdani has not expressed support for Hamas. He has repeatedly criticised Netanyahu and called him a “war criminal” while saying he will seek to enforce the ICC arrest warrant if Netanyahu visits New York.

Responding to Netanyahu’s video at a news conference on Tuesday, Mamdani rejected the Israeli PM’s claims.

“We all know that what the prime minister has said in that video is not true,” Mamdani told reporters.

He then referred to the ICC warrant against Netanyahu and repeated his criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

“What we do know to actually be the truth when it comes to the prime minister is that he is the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. And as the prime minister, he is the architect of a horrific genocide against Palestinians. And just a few days ago, killed an 11-year-old boy in what is deemed to be a safe zone in Gaza.”

Separately, Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon also criticised Mamdani during an interview with an international media outlet.

Danon called Mamdani’s position “very dangerous” and “irresponsible” and accused the mayor of supporting Hamas.

“But you know, we’re not surprised. He supported Hamas. He said officials from the City Council to meet with the representative of Iran – it’s shameful, if someone should be arrested, Mayor Mamdani should be arrested for his behavior.”

Danon also said that Netanyahu will travel to New York on Thursday and address the General Assembly.