Mamdani vows to detain Netanyahu if elected NYC mayor

New York City’s mayoral race just took a sharp turn into international waters with Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani promising to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he sets foot in the Big Apple during Mamdani’s potential tenure.

Running on a platform that’s raising eyebrows, Mamdani has declared he would enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against Netanyahu, directing the NYPD to detain him, while also extending the same policy to Russian President Vladimir Putin over ICC charges related to Ukraine.

Let’s rewind to the conflict that sparked this drama—the Israel-Gaza war began with Hamas’ devastating attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing roughly 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages.

Mamdani’s Bold Stance Sparks Controversy

Israel’s response in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, has since led to over 64,000 deaths, displaced millions, and left the territory in ruins, fueling global outrage and ICC action.

Last November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for several leaders tied to the conflict, including Netanyahu and his former defense minister, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Here’s the catch: neither the U.S. nor Israel recognizes the ICC’s authority, as they aren’t among the 124 member nations, which raises serious questions about whether a New York mayor could even attempt such a move.

Legal and Political Hurdles Abound

Mamdani, undeterred, told The New York Times, “This is a moment where we cannot look to the federal government for leadership.” Well, that’s one way to sidestep federal jurisdiction, but it’s a legal tightrope that could snap under scrutiny.

“This is a moment when cities and states will have to demonstrate what it actually looks like to stand up for our own values,” Mamdani added. Values are noble, but ordering the NYPD to cuff a foreign leader might be more about headlines than handshakes with reality.

Netanyahu, for his part, seems unfazed, having traveled to ICC member state Hungary in April without incident and shrugging off the warrants as “a folly” during a White House interview in July. Turns out, international law isn’t quite the global dragnet some might hope.

Backlash and Criticism Mount in NYC

Back in New York, Mamdani’s pledge isn’t winning him any popularity contests with some locals, particularly Jewish groups and leaders who’ve criticized his broader positions on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Representative Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican, didn’t mince words on X, calling Mamdani’s stance “dangerous and absolutely outrageous” and urging state intervention to block such a policy. When even local politicians are sounding the alarm, you know the plan’s got more holes than a Brooklyn pothole.

Legal experts aren’t buying it either, with Columbia Law School professor Matthew C. Waxman telling The New York Times this is “more a political stunt than a serious law-enforcement policy.” Hard to argue with that when jurisdiction over foreign leaders typically falls far outside a mayor’s sandbox.

Netanyahu’s Plans and Public Sentiment

Adding fuel to the fire, Netanyahu is expected to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month, potentially setting the stage for a showdown if Mamdani’s rhetoric holds post-election on November 4.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s support is crumbling both at home in Israel, where protests demand a hostage deal, and abroad in the U.S., where his leadership draws increasing skepticism. It’s a tough spot for any leader, even without the threat of a mayoral manhunt.

As for Mamdani, his campaign, along with Netanyahu’s office and legal scholars, was contacted by Newsweek for comment over the weekend, but the silence so far speaks volumes. Perhaps everyone’s too busy pondering if this bold promise is a masterstroke of principle or just a political misstep waiting to trip over itself.