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Zohran Mamdani pledged to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu in New York over ICC charges, sparking controversy.
Zohran Mamdani is seen. (Image Credit: Reuters)
Democrat nominee for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani vowed that if elected he would order the city’s police to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he enter the city- a pledge that has already sparked controversy earlier.
“This is something that I intend to fulfill,” Zohran Mamdani told The New York Times, saying he would enforce the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. He suggested that if Benjamin Netanyahu landed in New York, he would be detained at the airport.
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“It is my desire to ensure that this be a city that stands up for international law,” Zohran Mamdani said.
Zohran Mamdani defended his stance, asserting, “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.”
He also said he would pursue the same course of action against Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was indicted by the ICC in 2023 over the deportation of Ukrainian children during the war.
Can Benjamin Netanyahu Be Arrested In New York?
The US does not recognise the ICC’s authority, making such an arrest a legal near-impossibility. Under federal law, Netanyahu- as a sitting head of government- would enjoy immunity from prosecution.
Matthew C. Waxman, a professor at Columbia Law School, told The New York Times that Zohran Mamdani’s vow is “more a political stunt than a serious law enforcement policy,” adding that no such arrest has ever occurred on US soil.
Benjamin Netanyahu himself brushed off the threat in July during a visit to the White House. He said, “Look, there’s enough craziness in the world, but I guess it never ends. It’s silly in many ways because it’s just not serious. I’m going to come there with President Trump and we’ll see.”
At the time, Donald Trump said of Zohran Mamdani, “He better behave. Otherwise, he’s going to have big problems.”
New York, United States of America (USA)
September 13, 2025, 20:20 IST
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