Israeli President Isaac Herzog accused New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani of spreading antisemitic hate speech. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Fox News at his Jerusalem residence, Herzog said Mamdani's words risk the safety of New Yorkers.
Herzog referred to a video Mamdani posted on social media in July, in which he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” and the “architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people.” “Mamdani does not respect my nation's right to self-determination... does not respect the Jewish people's right to have their own nation. And he is essentially spreading blasphemy, hatred, antisemitic rhetoric. He must understand that he is risking his own citizens' safety, welfare and lives,” he said.
Herzog emphasized that New York is a cherished city for them, saying, “New York will continue to exist after Mamdani. I hope he does not cause irreversible damage.”
Labels Iran a global threat
Herzog said the Iranian regime has for decades posed a strategic threat not only to Israel and the Middle East but to global stability. “They take their own people's food, money and spend it on terror around the world. That is a known fact,” Herzog said, adding that the ideology is dangerous because it leaves no room for other religions or moderate Islam.
Following the joint military operation launched by the US and Israel on February 28, which the Trump administration called Operation Epic Fury and Israel named Operation Roaring Lion, Trump declared a ceasefire on April 7. Herzog said Tehran's missile program, activities in the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear ambitions, domestic repression and support for regional terror proxies proved it posed a major threat to US national security.
Praises Trump's Israel policies
Herzog stated that Trump's support for Israel is “endless,” pointing to his 2018 decision to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem and subsequent recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. He also said that after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Trump “stamped his foot” and “negotiated brilliantly” in bringing 255 hostages home, expressing “great respect” for the US leader.
Noting that some political voices in the US question relations with Israel, Herzog emphasized the set of values binding the two countries. “We both draw from the values coming from these historic spiritual books given to us by the Almighty,” he said.
Herzog attributed the decline in support for Israel among young Americans to well-funded disinformation campaigns on social media. “It is very easy to smear Israel on TikTok, but that does not reflect reality. I invite every young American to set foot in this country,” he said.
Herzog described the 1.15 trillion dollar fiscal year 2027 defense policy bill passed by the US House of Representatives with the support of only six Democrats as a “red light,” but said it did not mean the end of the relationship between the two peoples or of bipartisan dialogue.
Makes allegations about ICC prosecutor
Herzog also spoke about the removal of International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan over sexual harassment allegations. Herzog suggested that Khan “absolutely” advanced the arrest warrants to divert attention from the sexual assault claims against him, saying, “The case should be dropped and the ICC should not fall into the trap of hate and lies that Khan submitted just to protect himself.”
Speaking just hours before Trump announced that Hamas had accepted a roadmap including disarmament, Herzog praised the US administration's “immense efforts” to advance the next stage of the ceasefire in Gaza. “If this happens, it could be a major breakthrough. Trump's 20-point plan was endorsed by the UN Security Council and the next stage is the disarmament of Hamas,” Herzog said, adding that Gazans deserve a better life and that Hamas must never again control Gaza and turn it into a launching pad for terror and hatred.
Touches on Graham and Christian communities
Herzog also mentioned Netanyahu, who attended a memorial service for Republican Senator Lindsey Graham in Washington last week. He remembered Graham as someone “who always comes with new ideas, understands world affairs better than anyone, and grasps Israel's role in defending Western values.”
Herzog said they attach great importance to dialogue with Christian communities in Israel, stating, “The Christian communities in the Holy Land are one of our top priorities.” He noted that he had met with the Pope and is in constant contact with church leaders, emphasizing zero tolerance for anti-Christian behavior and that they aggressively address tensions.
