New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani has spent much of the past week facing renewed scrutiny over his comments about Israel, with critics revisiting both his recent statements and past remarks on the subject.
The latest controversy began after Mamdani reiterated a campaign promise that, if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were to visit New York City while an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court remained in effect, he would seek to have local authorities cooperate with efforts to detain him. Legal experts and city officials quickly noted that a New York City mayor has no authority to enforce international court warrants or order such an arrest.
Despite those limitations, Mamdani continued to describe Netanyahu as a “war criminal,” reflecting his longstanding criticism of the Israeli prime minister. Netanyahu denies allegations of war crimes, and no international criminal trial has been held on those allegations.
Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal. pic.twitter.com/YRezmW6YVx
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) July 22, 2026
The renewed attention also brought back clips of Mamdani discussing Israel during earlier interviews, including one in which he questioned whether Israel should be considered “a place” or “a country” in the context of political and legal definitions. Those remarks have continued to draw criticism from political opponents and many supporters of Israel.
“Israel is not a place. It is not a country.”
Zohran Mamdani said this in 2023 alongside Hamas supporters Simone Zimmerman, Najla Said and Noura Erakat. pic.twitter.com/7YP3q1Pd1q
— Canary Mission (@canarymission) July 19, 2026
Against that backdrop, Mamdani posted a message on X marking Tisha B’Av, one of the most solemn days on the Jewish calendar.
“From sundown tonight until tomorrow, mourners will pause and reflect on the history and resiliency of the Jewish people,” he wrote.
“May all observing have a safe and meaningful fast.”
Wishing a peaceful Tisha B’Av to Jewish New Yorkers across the five boroughs.
From sundown tonight until tomorrow, mourners will pause and reflect on the history and resiliency of the Jewish people.
May all observing have a safe and meaningful fast.
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) July 22, 2026
The post quickly attracted thousands of responses, many of them highly critical. Some users argued that Mamdani’s previous comments about Israel were difficult to reconcile with a message recognizing a holiday rooted in Jewish historical ties to the land of Israel.
Tisha B’Av commemorates a series of tragedies in Jewish history, most notably the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. and the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in A.D. 70, both of which took place in Jerusalem according to Jewish tradition. The day is observed through fasting, prayer, and mourning.
We’re mourning the destruction of the first and second temples, each of which resulted in loss of sovereignty over the land of Israel, which we have now reclaimed but you oppose.
In short, we are fasting because of enemies like you.— David Bernstein (@ProfDBernstein) July 23, 2026
Jewish tradition also associates Tisha B’Av with other historical events, including the biblical account of the Israelites refusing to enter the Promised Land after the report of the spies, an episode described in the Book of Numbers. Rabbinic tradition teaches that this event also occurred on the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av and became linked to later national tragedies.
Because the holiday centers on the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem and the historical connection of the Jewish people to the land of Israel, critics argued that Mamdani’s greeting conflicted with his previous rhetoric about the modern Jewish state.
We are mourning the 1,956th anniversary of the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem – ISRAEL – the Mount which is currently illegally occupied by the Muslims pic.twitter.com/5RYYHZfE9S
— Lion of Zion (@Tmount613) July 23, 2026
Supporters, meanwhile, viewed the post as a gesture toward New York City’s large Jewish community, regardless of disagreements over Israeli government policy.
Tisha B’Av is about the destruction of the Temple, which is in Jerusalem, which is in Israel.
Arrest Mamdani.— Moe Mosher
(@jg4lt2a) July 22, 2026
