A group of New York City Jewish Democratic officials has issued a formal rebuke of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following his recent comments comparing Hamas to New York City Council member Shahana Hanif. The Prime Minister’s remarks, which characterized the two as "buddies," have been condemned by local leaders as both inaccurate and dangerous.

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, speaking on behalf of the group, stated that the Prime Minister’s rhetoric is "not helpful" and expressed concern that such language could provoke real-world harm. The officials emphasized the need to "turn the temperature down" in an already volatile political climate, arguing that equating a local elected official with a designated terrorist organization is a reckless escalation of political discourse.

While the Times of Israel reports that the criticism is centered on the potential for incitement, the article notes that this is part of a broader ongoing tension between the Council and the Mayor’s office regarding the handling of antisemitism and Israel-related protests in the city. The officials involved in the rebuke have previously clashed with the administration over these sensitive issues, suggesting that the Prime Minister’s comments have exacerbated existing local divisions. The Prime Minister’s office has not yet issued a formal response to the specific criticisms raised by the New York delegation.