Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving and San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama signaled support for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s latest anti-Israel message by liking an Instagram video in which he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” and urged federal authorities to arrest him if he enters New York City.
The video marked one of Mamdani’s strongest public attacks on Israel since taking office.
In the clip, Mamdani accused Netanyahu of committing genocide against Palestinians and called on the federal government to execute the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant if the Israeli leader visits New York City.
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Mamdani’s remarks made no mention of Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attacks on Israel.
Wembanyama (the league’s next “face”) and Irving appeared to endorse rhetoric condemned as virulent, reckless and inherently antisemitic.
Mamdani calls for Netanyahu’s arrest
Mamdani conceded New York City couldn’t arrest Netanyahu, then called on the federal government to do it instead.
“Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal, the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people,” Mamdani declared.
He went on to accuse Netanyahu of responsibility for civilian deaths and humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
“He is responsible for the killing of more than 73,000 people, for the maiming of tens of thousands of children as those who survive undergo amputation without anesthesia, for the targeting of neonatal hospitals and maternity care centers, denying newborns even the chance to live,” Mamdani claimed.
Mamdani also accused Israel of blocking humanitarian aid, gunning down aid workers and journalists, and deliberately targeting Palestinian children while arguing that American taxpayers continue to fund the war.
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“There is a reason the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest,” Mamdani said.
“As I’ve said, I agree with the ICC that Benjamin Netanyahu should be arrested and tried for his crimes, as I do for anyone else charged by the ICC.”
“Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large,” Mamdani stated.
Jewish advocacy groups have argued Mamdani’s antisemitic sentiments contribute to rising antisemitism while singling out Israel.
Irving’s Anti-Israel sentiments
For Irving, the like reopens a chapter about past antisemitism controversies many believed had been put behind him.
In 2022, while with the Brooklyn Nets, Irving was suspended at least five games after promoting the film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” which contained antisemitic material, including Holocaust denial.
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He later apologized, met with Anti-Defamation League leaders and Jewish community representatives, and completed a series of conditions set by the team before returning to the court.
The Nets traded Irving to Dallas in 2023, where he has largely stayed out of similar controversies until now.
OutKick reached out to representatives for both Irving and Wembanyama seeking comment on their Instagram activity. Neither responded before publication.
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