US senator denounces Netanyahu over video targeting New York City mayor

US Sen. Chris Van Hollen sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday for releasing a video attacking New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani ahead of Netanyahu’s planned address to the UN General Assembly.

Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, accused Netanyahu of making false statements and criticized him over Israel's conduct in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

"I just watched the video released by Prime Minister Netanyahu about Mayor Mamdani," Van Hollen said.

"The first thing everybody should know is that Prime Minister Netanyahu is a chronic liar. He lies and lies and lies," he added.

Van Hollen also referred to an arrest warrant issued for Netanyahu by the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying the Israeli prime minister was "a wanted war criminal."

The ICC issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, alleging responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict. Israel rejects the court's jurisdiction and the allegations.

Van Hollen also accused Netanyahu's government of failing to provide accountability for American citizens killed in the West Bank.

"As we speak, he refuses to provide accountability and justice for American citizens who were killed in the West Bank by violent Israeli settlers or Israeli security forces," he said.

He said Netanyahu faced restrictions on entering some countries because of the ICC warrant.

"There are many countries that don't allow him to cross their borders," Van Hollen said, adding that Netanyahu was "lucky" that the US had allowed him to enter the country.

"The prime minister is lucky that the United States has let him cross our borders, but that doesn't erase his lies, and that doesn't erase his war crimes," he said.

Van Hollen's comments followed a video released by Netanyahu in which the Israeli prime minister accused Mamdani of supporting the Palestinian group Hamas and inciting violence against Jewish New Yorkers. Netanyahu said he would use his upcoming UN address to respond to Mamdani's criticism and defend Israel's military actions.