Jakarta, ThedailyID — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced criticism from US Senator Chris Van Hollen ahead of his speech at the United Nations General Assembly.
Van Hollen called Netanyahu a “chronic liar” after the Israeli prime minister released a video attacking New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
In the video, Netanyahu accused Mamdani of supporting Hamas and inciting violence against Jewish people in New York.
“I just watched the video released by Prime Minister Netanyahu about Mayor Mamdani,” Van Hollen said, as reported by Anadolu on Tuesday, September 22.
“The first thing everyone should know is that Prime Minister Netanyahu is a chronic liar. He keeps lying,” he added.
Van Hollen also referred to the arrest warrant that the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued against Netanyahu.
The senator described Netanyahu as a “most wanted war criminal.” The ICC issued the warrant in November 2024 against Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The court accused both Israeli officials of responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict. Israel rejects the ICC’s jurisdiction and denies the allegations.
Van Hollen also criticized Netanyahu’s government over the deaths of US citizens in the West Bank.
He said the Israeli government had failed to provide accountability for Americans killed there. According to Van Hollen, some deaths involved violence by Israeli settlers or Israeli security forces.
The senator also said the ICC warrant could restrict Netanyahu’s ability to travel to some countries.
“There are many countries that will not allow him to cross their borders,” Van Hollen said.
Van Hollen added that Netanyahu was fortunate to still have access to the United States. However, he said US entry did not remove the allegations against the Israeli prime minister.
“The prime minister is fortunate that the United States allows him to cross our border, but that does not erase his lies, and it does not erase his war crimes,” Van Hollen said.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, said he planned to use his upcoming UN speech to respond to criticism from Mamdani. He also planned to defend Israel’s military actions.
