New York mayoral candidate vows to arrest Netanyahu if he visits the city.
Zohran Mamdani states that he will comply with the ICC warrant against the Israeli Prime Minister if he is elected mayor.
247 - Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York and frontrunner in the polls, reaffirmed his promise to order the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he enters the city. The lawmaker stated that he intends to enforce the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to The New York Times on Friday (12).
In an interview with the American newspaper, Mamdani declared that Netanyahu is a "war criminal" responsible for genocide in Gaza. According to him, arresting the Israeli prime minister would show that New York "stands in defense of international law." The Democrat said that, if elected, he would order the local police to carry out the arrest at the airport.
Legal impasse and Washington's reaction
Legal experts consulted by NYT They assessed that the measure would be unfeasible, as well as possibly illegal, since the United States does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC. Current President Donald Trump even criticized the court in February, claiming it has no authority over Americans or Israel.
Mamdani, however, maintained that he will not back down. "This is a commitment I intend to fulfill," he stated. He compared his stance to that of Gavin Newsom, the current governor of California, who in 2004, as mayor of San Francisco, issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples in defiance of federal law.
Political conflict in New York
The promise to arrest Netanyahu is causing divisions in the city that is home to the world's second-largest Jewish community. Although polls indicate that most New Yorkers support the Palestinians in the Gaza war, some Jewish leaders are concerned about the candidate's positions.
Mamdani had already been criticized for not condemning the slogan "globalize the intifada," although he later said he would discourage its use. Nevertheless, he maintained his accusation that the Israeli prime minister is responsible for war crimes.
His main rival, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, took the opposite position. A defender of Israel, he even offered to join Netanyahu's defense team after the ICC warrant was issued.
Netanyahu and the ICC
The International Criminal Court accuses Netanyahu of war crimes and crimes against humanity for deliberately depriving civilians in Gaza of food, water, and medicine. According to local health authorities, more than 60 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive since 2023.
Netanyahu, for his part, claims that war is necessary until Hamas surrenders its weapons and releases hostages captured in the October 2023 attack, which left 1,2 dead in Israel. In July, he mocked Mamdani's statements and said he was not worried about the possibility of imprisonment.
Legal experts point out that even if Mamdani wins the election, his promise would face legal hurdles. Former New York police legal commissioner George Grasso called the proposal "bizarre" and highlighted that the department can refuse orders that exceed its authority. Furthermore, Netanyahu would be entitled to immunity as head of state.
Despite the difficulties, Mamdani insists that his goal is both symbolic and political. "It is my desire to ensure that this is a city that stands up in defense of international law," he declared.
