Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on social media over statements regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to the United States. According to posts on X, Kuzma accused the mayor of prioritizing public relations over concrete political action after Mamdani acknowledged he lacks the legal authority to have Netanyahu arrested during a scheduled appearance at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Kuzma Criticizes Mayor’s Remarks on Netanyahu
The online exchange began after Mayor Zohran Mamdani published a video labeling Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal and stating that he was unwelcome in New York City. However, the mayor subsequently admitted that local authorities hold no legal mechanism to detain foreign heads of state during his visit to the United Nations General Assembly in September.
According to his social media post, Kyle Kuzma took direct aim at these statements, writing that the mayor was “playing president” and arguing that modern political discourse often favors online visibility over substantive governance. “A mayor who plays president,” Kuzma wrote on X, adding that internet video production has eclipsed traditional public service.
Social Media Backlash and Prior Support for Israel
Following his critique, Kuzma faced accusations from social media users alleging he was defending Israeli government policies. The 31-year-old player responded by stating, “Apparently, I am a Zionist simply because I highlight things that are happening right under everyone’s noses, but so be it.”
While Kuzma is not Jewish, he has frequently expressed personal ties to Israel through his friendships and former teammates. In May, he attended the wedding of his former Washington Wizards teammate Deni Avdija, who was born in Israel, sharing footage from the celebration online. Kuzma also voiced public support for Israel following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.
Kuzma’s public stance contrasts with responses from other NBA players, including Kyrie Irving and Victor Wembanyama, who previously interacted positively with Mayor Mamdani’s announcement by liking the video on Instagram.
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