In an intense and revealing interview with Fox News host Martha MacCallum, New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani stood firm on his controversial stance: if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were to visit New York City, the city should honor the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against him.
“I’ve said that this is a city that believes in international law and wants to uphold those beliefs,” Mamdani declared calmly, his tone steady even as the question grew more pointed. The exchange took place just days before New York City’s highly anticipated mayoral debate — a debate that could shape the political future of America’s largest city.
MacCallum wasted no time pressing him on the issue.
“The United States doesn’t stand by the International Criminal Court,” she countered, referencing Washington’s refusal to recognize ICC jurisdiction over U.S. or allied leaders. But Mamdani didn’t flinch. “However, it has issued a warrant for the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu,” he said, invoking the ICC’s authority with conviction.
The moment marked a flashpoint in a campaign already defined by bold, sometimes divisive statements. Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist leading the polls by double digits, has built his platform around radical reforms: free public transportation, rent freezes, and city-run grocery stores. His pledge to “end billionaire domination” of New York has electrified progressives and alarmed Wall Street in equal measure.
But his comments about Israel — and now about Netanyahu — have drawn national attention, sparking fierce debate about how far New York’s next mayor could go in shaping foreign policy through moral conviction.
The conversation shifted to the recent Middle East ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump, which brought home 20 surviving Israeli hostages. When asked whether he would give Trump credit for the breakthrough, Mamdani hesitated.
“It’s too early to do so,” he said. “If it proves to be lasting and durable, then yes — that’s when you give credit.”
His reluctance underscored a theme he would return to throughout the interview: cautious hope for peace, tempered by deep skepticism of both Israeli and Hamas leadership.
“I’ve seen reports that five Palestinians were killed by the Israeli military even after the ceasefire,” he said. “That’s what gives me pause about celebration. My hope is for something enduring — something that brings justice for everyone.”
MacCallum pressed harder, pointing out that Hamas itself continues to kill Palestinians and has refused to return the bodies of hostages. “Do you believe Hamas should lay down their weapons and leave leadership in Gaza?” she asked.
Mamdani paused, choosing his words carefully. “Those bodies should absolutely be returned,” he said. “And I have no issue critiquing Hamas or the Israeli government — my critiques come from a place of universal human rights.”
But when asked directly if Hamas should surrender, Mamdani deflected. “I don’t have opinions about the future of Hamas or Israel beyond justice and safety,” he said. “Everything must abide by international law.”
The Arrest Question
Then came the defining exchange of the night.
“Would you really arrest Netanyahu if he came to New York City?” MacCallum asked bluntly.
Without hesitation, Mamdani doubled down. “The city believes in international law,” he said. “We should uplift and uphold those beliefs.”
When MacCallum pressed again — asking whether NYPD Commissioner Tish James would enforce such an order — Mamdani sidestepped, offering praise instead. “I appreciate her leadership and how she’s lowered crime across the city,” he said, smiling. “But as mayor, I will use every law available to me.”
The comment left viewers wondering whether he was suggesting that under his leadership, the city could actually act on an ICC warrant — a move that would defy federal policy and likely ignite an international crisis.
For Mamdani, the interview was more than a campaign stop; it was a statement of values. He positioned himself as a leader willing to test the boundaries of local governance in pursuit of global justice. Yet for critics, his remarks only reinforced fears that his ideology could destabilize a city already grappling with crime, migration, and economic inequality.
Still, Mamdani’s supporters see something different — a candidate unafraid to speak truth to power.
“This is about who we are as New Yorkers,” he said near the end of the interview. “We believe in justice. We believe in accountability. And that belief doesn’t stop at our borders.”
As the debate approaches, Mamdani’s comments have set the stage for a fiery confrontation with rivals like Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa. But for now, one question lingers louder than the rest — if Benjamin Netanyahu ever sets foot in New York City, would its next mayor really order his arrest?
And if so, how far would the city — and the nation — go to stop him?