Mamdani promises to direct NYPD to arrest Netanyahu if elected mayor in November

New York City's Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani doubled down Friday on his promise to direct the New York Police Department (NYPD) to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he becomes mayor in November and the Israeli leader visits the city. 

Mamdani, who calls himself a Democratic socialist, is currently the frontrunner for mayor and rose to prominence this summer after defeating former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for the Democratic nomination. 

The Democratic hopeful told the New York Times that he intends to keep his campaign promise to arrest Netanyahu, which would make good on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrant for the leader, even though the United States does not recognize the ICC's authority.

“This is something that I intend to fulfill,” Mamdani said. “This is a moment where we cannot look to the federal government for leadership. This is a moment when cities and states will have to demonstrate what it actually looks like to stand up for our own values, our own people.”

Mamdani, who has been highly critical of the war in Israel, claimed Netanyahu is a "war criminal" who is guilty of committing genocide in Gaza. He also promised to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he comes to the city. The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin in 2023.

“It is my desire to ensure that this be a city that stands up for international law,” Mamdani said.

Netanyahu has shrugged off Mamdani's threats to arrest him in the past, stating in July that he was not concerned about the threats and claimed the concept of him being arrested was "silly in many ways."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.