Mamdani, if Elected Mayor, Pledges to Order N.Y.P.D. to Arrest Netanyahu

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, has said that if elected, he would direct the New York Police Department to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should the leader visit the city. The remarks, made in an interview with The New York Times on Thursday, expand on a controversial campaign pledge that has already drawn significant attention.

Mamdani described Netanyahu as a war criminal responsible for what he called genocide in Gaza. He stated that, if the Israeli leader arrived in New York, he would move to enforce an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) by having police detain Netanyahu upon arrival at the airport.

The proposal has raised immediate questions about its feasibility and legality. Legal experts noted that local authorities lack jurisdiction in matters involving foreign heads of state, particularly when protected by diplomatic immunity. Some also cautioned that any attempt by city officials to arrest Netanyahu could conflict with federal law, which governs the handling of international diplomacy and foreign leaders visiting the United States.

Despite those concerns, Mamdani’s pledge is expected to spark strong debate in New York City, which is home to the world’s second-largest Jewish population after Israel. His comments highlight both the intensity of his political platform and the divisions it could deepen among the city’s diverse communities