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| Mamdani vows Netanyahu arrest if elected mayor |
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor, says he would order police to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the city. Mamdani claims Netanyahu should be detained due to an International Criminal Court warrant for alleged war crimes. Legal experts say the move would likely be illegal and impractical .
Mamdani recently explained his position in detail. He said he wants New York City to stand up for international law. He would order the New York Police Department to arrest Netanyahu at the airport if the Israeli leader comes to the city. Mamdani also said he would seek arrests for other ICC warrants, including one for Russian President Vladimir Putin .
The candidate first made this promise in December 2024. He repeated it during his campaign. Mamdani says he plans to follow through if elected. He compares his stance to past acts of civil disobedience. He points to California Governor Gavin Newsom's decision to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2004 despite federal law .
Legal experts doubt Mamdani's plan would work. They say a city mayor lacks legal power to arrest a foreign leader. Such matters fall under federal jurisdiction. The United States is not part of the International Criminal Court. This means there is no obligation to honor ICC warrants on American soil .
Matthew Waxman, an international law scholar at Columbia University, called the statement a political stunt rather than serious policy. He and other experts say any arrest attempt would trigger a clash with the federal government. The Trump administration has hosted Netanyahu multiple times since the ICC issued its warrant .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Mamdani's threat. He called the proposed policies nonsense. Netanyahu suggested Mamdani would only serve one term if elected. He made these comments during a podcast appearance in July .
Netanyahu said he is not concerned about the arrest threat. He joked that he would visit New York with President Donald Trump. Trump himself called Mamdani a communist. The president suggested the candidate would behave due to needing federal funding .
The arrest pledge comes as Mamdani leads in polls before November's election. Recent surveys show many New York City voters support his approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A New York Times/Siena poll found 43% of likely voters prefer Mamdani's stance on the issue. This compares to 16% for former Governor Andrew Cuomo and 11% for Mayor Eric Adams .
The same poll found most New Yorkers sympathize more with Palestinians than with Israel. Some 46% of respondents favored Palestinians, while 29% sided with Israel. This represents a shift in public opinion in a city with a large Jewish population .
Jewish voters appear divided on Mamdani. The Times/Siena poll showed him winning 34% of Jewish voters. Other polls suggest younger Jews support him more than older ones. A July survey found 67% of Jewish voters aged 18-44 planned to vote for Mamdani. But another poll found 58% of Jews overall felt they would be less safe under his leadership .
Mamdani has faced accusations of antisemitism during his campaign. He strongly denies these claims. The candidate says it pains him to be portrayed as opposed to Jewish New Yorkers. He has promised to increase spending on fighting hate crimes by 800% if elected .
The candidate's background influences his views. Mamdani was born and raised in Uganda. He now lives in Queens. He is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. He has criticized Israel's government for many years .
Netanyahu might visit New York City soon. He could come for the United Nations General Assembly meeting in September. This would happen before the mayoral election in November .
Mamdani's position on Netanyahu is part of his broader foreign policy views. He says New York should follow the example of other countries. Some ICC member nations have avoided hosting Netanyahu due to the arrest warrant .
The candidate's critics include both Republicans and Democrats. Republican Representative Mike Lawler called Mamdani a radical, antisemitic socialist. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo volunteered to join Netanyahu's legal defense team after the ICC warrant was issued .
Mamdani has moderated some progressive positions as his campaign succeeded. But he has not changed his stance on arresting Netanyahu. The arrest pledge continues to be a central part of his campaign message .
The mayoral election will take place in November. Mamdani will face current Mayor Eric Adams and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. The outcome could affect New York City's relationship with Israel and its standing in international affairs .
New York City is home to the largest Jewish population outside Israel. The debate over Mamdani's pledge touches on important issues for many residents. The discussion involves international law, local authority, and the boundaries of political protest .
The situation shows the growing influence of foreign policy in local elections. It also reflects changing American attitudes toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The final election result may signal a new direction for New York City politics .