Mamdani Vows to Order Netanyahu’s Arrest if Elected New York City Mayor

Thursday, September 12, 2025 – Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, has said that if he wins, he will order the New York Police Department to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during any visit to the city.

Mamdani’s Strong Pledge

In an interview with The New York Times, Mamdani called Netanyahu a war criminal responsible for genocide in Gaza. He said he would “honor” the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against the Israeli leader by directing NYPD to arrest him, even at the airport.

“This is something I intend to fulfill,” Mamdani said. “New York should be a city that stands up for international law.”

Legal Challenges and Federal Concerns

Legal experts quickly pointed out that such a move would be almost impossible. They warned it could violate federal law since the U.S. is not a member of the ICC and does not recognize its jurisdiction. Earlier this year, former President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the ICC after it issued the arrest warrant for Netanyahu.

Netanyahu and Trump Respond

Netanyahu brushed off Mamdani’s threats. In July, he said he was “not worried,” calling the idea of his arrest “silly in many ways.” Meeting with Trump at the White House, Netanyahu joked that he would visit New York with the former president by his side.

Trump added a warning aimed at Mamdani: “He’d better behave. Otherwise, he’s going to have big problems.”

ICC Warrant Against Netanyahu

The ICC accuses Netanyahu of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The charges include depriving civilians of food, water, and medicine. Mamdani has also claimed that Netanyahu made military decisions while in New York that resulted in civilian deaths in the Middle East.

Political Reactions in New York

A recent survey by The New York Times and Siena University showed that many New Yorkers support Mamdani’s stance on Israel and Gaza. Among Jewish likely voters, Mamdani held a slight lead with about 30%, followed closely by Mayor Eric Adams and former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Cuomo, Mamdani’s top challenger, has strongly defended Israel. He even volunteered to join Netanyahu’s legal defense team last year after the ICC warrant was issued.

Trump on New York Mayor Race

Trump also commented on the NYC mayoral race. On Friday, he said Adams’ decision to continue his reelection campaign could split the vote, giving Mamdani a stronger chance to win. Trump added that Cuomo might have a better shot in a direct one-on-one race against Mamdani.