Zohran Mamdani, a candidate in the upcoming New York City mayoral race, has once again called for the city to respect an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Indian-origin politician, who is a vocal critic of former US President Donald Trump, made these remarks during a recent television interview.
Commitment to International Law
During an appearance on Fox News's "The Story" on Wednesday, Mamdani was questioned by anchor Martha MacCallum about his previous statements. He had earlier declared that, if elected mayor, he would seek to arrest Netanyahu should the Israeli leader visit New York. Mamdani clarified his position, stating he would not create new laws but would exhaust every existing legal option to uphold the ICC's warrant.
"I've said that this is a city that believes international law, and this is a city that wants to uplift and uphold those beliefs," Mamdani told the host. He acknowledged that the United States is not a signatory to the ICC but argued that the warrant for Netanyahu, similar to the one for Russian President Vladimir Putin over Ukraine, should be honoured.
Political Stance and Election Context
The 33-year-old Democratic candidate, who could become New York's first Muslim mayor, also addressed other sensitive topics. When asked about the recent ceasefire and hostage-prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas, he declined to give immediate credit to US leadership. "To any extent, credit or not, I think it's too early to say. But if it proves to be lasting and durable, then that's where you give credit," he remarked.
Mamdani avoided a direct comment on whether Hamas should disarm in Gaza, instead emphasizing a universal standard. "Anything has to abide by international law, and that applies to Hamas, the Israeli military, anyone you could ask me about," he said, focusing on justice, safety, and legal adherence.
The Road to November
The New York City mayoral election is scheduled for November 4. Mamdani faces competition from Republican candidate Curtis Silwa and former New York state governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent. His strong stance on international justice has become a defining feature of his campaign, drawing both support and criticism.
Netanyahu's recent travel patterns highlight the practical implications of the ICC warrant; during a US visit, he reportedly avoided flying over countries that are ICC signatories and could have enforced the arrest in their airspace. Mamdani's promise brings this global diplomatic issue directly to the streets of New York, setting the stage for a highly watched electoral battle centered on foreign policy and municipal authority.
