Irving and Wembanyama Signal Support for NYC Mayor’s Controversial Netanyahu Statements

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving and San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama each engaged with a social media post from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani featuring harsh criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The video, which Mamdani posted to Instagram, labeled Netanyahu a “war criminal” and called on federal authorities to arrest him should he travel to New York City. The post represented among Mamdani’s most forceful public condemnations of Israel since assuming his mayoral position.

In the video clip, Mamdani accused Netanyahu of orchestrating genocide against Palestinians and invoked an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against the Israeli leader. The mayor made claims that Netanyahu bears responsibility for more than 73,000 deaths and cited allegations of targeting neonatal hospitals, maternity facilities, and aid workers. Mamdani also asserted that American taxpayers continue funding the military operations in question.

Irving’s engagement with the post carries particular significance given his documented history with antisemitism controversies. While playing for the Brooklyn Nets in 2022, Irving faced suspension for promoting a film containing Holocaust denial material before eventually apologizing and meeting with Anti-Defamation League representatives and Jewish community leaders.

Jewish advocacy organizations have contended that Mamdani’s rhetoric amplifies antisemitic sentiment while disproportionately targeting Israel. Neither Irving’s nor Wembanyama’s representatives provided comment when contacted regarding their Instagram activity.