Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, is making headlines after doubling down on one of the most controversial promises of his campaign: arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he sets foot in the city.
In an interview with The New York Times, Mamdani said he would direct the New York Police Department to detain Netanyahu upon arrival, citing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. He argued that such a move would show New York “stands up for international law.”
Legal experts, however, say the proposal is both unrealistic and potentially illegal. The United States is not a party to the International Criminal Court, and federal law specifically limits the ability of state or local governments to cooperate with it. Experts noted that no arrest of a foreign leader on ICC charges has ever taken place on American soil.
Still, Mamdani is not backing down. He said his plan reflects a moment when local leaders must act because the federal government will not. He compared his idea to former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom’s decision in 2004 to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in defiance of federal law.
“This is a moment when cities and states will have to demonstrate what it looks like to stand up for our own values,” Mamdani said.
The bold promise has already sparked deep division. New York is home to the world’s second-largest Jewish population outside of Israel. While recent polls show New Yorkers leaning more sympathetic to Palestinians in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, Mamdani’s refusal to condemn slogans like “globalize the intifada” has unsettled many Jewish voters.
What an idiot:
On Sunday evening, @zohrankmamdani also affirmed his insane plan to honor an arrest warrant for Israel’s democratically-elected prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Mamdani cited the warrant issued by the ICC — a body to which the United States is not even a party.
Worse still,… pic.twitter.com/hECWOh1B23
— Whitney Tilson (@WhitneyTilson) June 9, 2025
Netanyahu’s office did not respond to requests for comment, but the Israeli leader has dismissed Mamdani’s vow before, calling it “silly in many ways.” He added during a White House visit that he expected no issues if he came to New York alongside former President Trump, who sharply warned Mamdani to “behave.”
Mamdani has also said he would order the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was issued an ICC warrant in 2023. He insisted that carrying out such arrests would align New York with global justice, not just domestic politics.
But law professors and former U.S. officials disagree. Matthew Waxman of Columbia Law School called Mamdani’s statement “a political stunt” rather than a serious law enforcement proposal. Others pointed out that even if Netanyahu were charged with a crime in the U.S., international law grants sitting heads of state immunity from arrest.
This is dangerous and absolutely outrageous from this Antisemite Communist who is on pace to destroy NYC.
I am calling on @KathyHochul to immediately condemn this and publicly commit to overriding Mamdani’s pledge to arrest @netanyahu. https://t.co/kpkqMsMlYq
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) September 13, 2025
The political stakes are high. Mamdani currently leads in polls heading into November’s election, narrowly ahead of current Mayor Eric Adams and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo, a longtime supporter of Israel, has volunteered to join Netanyahu’s defense team and has positioned himself as Mamdani’s fiercest rival on this issue.
The controversy over Mamdani’s comments comes as the war in Gaza continues. Palestinian officials say more than 60,000 have been killed since Hamas attacked Israel in 2023, leaving 1,200 Israelis dead and hundreds taken hostage. Netanyahu has said the war will continue until Hamas disarms and releases the hostages.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐔𝐍𝐀𝐂𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐀𝐌𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐈
Who does this clown think he is? Zohran Mamdani — a New York Assemblyman — is out here saying that if Benjamin Netanyahu came to New York City, he’d have him arrested.
Arrested. The Prime Minister of Israel.
This isn’t a joke, this is… pic.twitter.com/aqFsPgFvrb
— M.A. Rothman (@MichaelARothman) September 8, 2025
For Mamdani, the campaign promise may energize progressive voters frustrated with U.S. policy toward Israel. But it risks alienating Jewish communities and setting up a potential clash with federal law if he ever tried to act on it.
