New York Governor Kathy Hochul is urging New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to devote greater attention to governing the city and less to Israel, according to an interview with The New York Times published Thursday.
Hochul was asked about a video Mamdani released last month in which he acknowledged that, despite his repeated promises, he does not have the authority to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The video drew hundreds of millions of views and included accusations against Israel, including the false claim that Netanyahu is a war criminal.
Mamdani has faced repeated criticism over his anti-Israel positions and statements. During his mayoral campaign, he declined to reject the slogan “globalize the intifada" and came under criticism for comments targeting Israel on October 8, 2023, one day after the Hamas massacre in southern Israel.
He has also repeatedly accused Israel of war crimes during its campaign against Hamas in Gaza. On his first day as mayor, Mamdani further sparked controversy by rescinding executive orders concerning Israel that had been issued by his predecessor, Eric Adams.
His positions have continued to draw criticism since taking office, including his decision to boycott New York City's annual Israel Day Parade, making him the first mayor of the city to do so.
The controversies have raised concerns among many Jewish New Yorkers, particularly amid a rise in antisemitic incidents targeting the community.
Asked whether Mamdani's rhetoric toward Israel could make Jewish New Yorkers uncomfortable, Hochul said she had a different priority for the mayor.
“I encourage him to - ‘Let’s focus on blocking and tackling of city government,’" she told The New York Times, invoking a football expression for concentrating on the basic responsibilities of governing.
Hochul pointed to issues including housing and child care as areas where she and Mamdani share priorities.
“That’s where I believe the main focus should be," she added.
The governor also reiterated her opposition to antisemitism, declaring that she would “throw my body against any antisemitism."
“I have, and I will," Hochul said.
Hochul has previously rejected Mamdani's pledge to arrest Netanyahu. Late last year, she responded, “The New York City mayor does not have the power to do that," while also distancing herself from other anti-Israel positions expressed by Mamdani.