New York City Mayor Threatens Arrest Warrant for Israeli Prime Minister

Mayor Zohran Mamdani told *The Interview* podcast that he is pursuing “an active conversation” about whether New York City can issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said, “Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we will do, but we won’t be writing our own laws to that end.” The mayor also declared, “I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague. He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court.” The ICC issued an arrest warrant in November 2024 on war-crime charges tied to Israel’s war in Gaza.

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On July 15, the House voted on an amendment to cut all U.S. military financing and assistance to Israel. 103 Democrats supported the amendment, 98 opposed it, and 10 voted present. Rep. Rep.

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A May 4–17 Pew Research Center survey shows Democratic favorability toward the Israeli people fell from 62 % in 2022 to 43 % in 2026, and favorability toward the Israeli government dropped from 35 % to 16 %. Republican favorability also declined but remained higher (people 65 % in 2026).

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President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that “Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America.” A U.S. official told Reuters in December that the administration fears the ICC could target U.S. officials in 2029.

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Democratic strategist Steve Schale argued Mamdani’s focus is “unhelpful to our party” and urged the mayor to concentrate on domestic issues such as affordability. Another strategist, Jamal Simmons, called the mayor’s arrest threat “more performative than productive,” noting that the United Nations traditionally grants amnesty to visiting heads of state.

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• “I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague. He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court,” — Zohran Mamdani, york city mayor

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• “Those who engage in this type of behavior model a dangerous form of corrosive politics that seeks to intimidate those who disagree with them,” — Rep. Adam Smith

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• “Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America,” — President Trump

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• “I don’t think any of this is helpful to our party,” — Another Democratic

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• “Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we will do, but we won’t be writing our own laws to that end.” — Zohran Mamdani, york city mayor

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