Mayor Zohran Mamdani doubles down on threat to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu over war in Gaza

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reiterated his intention to order the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he attends the United Nations General Assembly in September. Mamdani stated, "When someone is charged with an International Criminal Court warrant, it's something that should be taken seriously," referring to a nearly two-year-old warrant related to the war in Gaza. He called Netanyahu a "war criminal" and believes he "belongs in The Hague." Former President Donald Trump quickly dismissed the threat, stating, "Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America." Rabbi Joe Potasnik, who served on Mamdani's transition team, criticized the mayor's focus, suggesting he should "find opportunities to bring communities together, not to tear them apart." Mamdani acknowledged the legal and practical difficulties but confirmed city lawyers are investigating the possibility.