U.S. Senator Van Hollen criticizes Netanyahu’s remarks about Mamdani

Netanyahu’s message targeting Mamdani draws sharp US criticism from Van Hollen

U.S. Senator Van Hollen criticized Netanyahu’s video message about New York Mayor Mamdani. Van Hollen accused Netanyahu of lying and called him a war criminal subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.

Scraper SystemSeptember 23, 2026, 11:44 AM

Netanyahu’s message targeting Mamdani draws sharp US criticism from Van Hollen

U.S. Senator Van Hollen responded to Netanyahu’s video message targeting New York Mayor Mamdani.

In a video message posted on X, Van Hollen criticized Netanyahu’s remarks and accused the Israeli prime minister of lying habitually. Van Hollen referred to Netanyahu as a “wanted war criminal.”

Reference to the ICC warrant and entry restrictions

Van Hollen raised the arrest warrant issued for Netanyahu by the International Criminal Court. Saying that some countries had refused to allow Netanyahu to cross their borders, Van Hollen argued that the United States’ decision to allow him to enter did not erase his statements or the allegations related to war crimes.

Van Hollen also said Netanyahu “should be ashamed and condemned.”

Mamdani's remarks sent Netanyahu into a rage - Sözcü

American citizens in the West Bank

Van Hollen also criticized the Netanyahu government, saying that accountability and justice had been denied for American citizens he said were killed by Israeli settlers or Israeli security forces in the West Bank.

Remarks exchanged by Mamdani and Netanyahu

Mamdani had said that he did not have independent legal authority to enforce the ICC’s arrest warrant if Netanyahu came to New York for the meetings of the United Nations General Assembly. Despite this, Mamdani argued that the federal government should take that step.

Describing Netanyahu as an “architect of genocide,” Mamdani argued that the Israeli prime minister should be in The Hague rather than New York. In a video message released before his address to the United Nations General Assembly, Netanyahu told Mamdani, “I am coming to the United Nations to expose you.”

Netanyahu’s message targeting Mamdani draws sharp US criticism from Van Hollen