How many times do figures on the far left need to be reminded where political theater ends and legal reality begins?
New York City, home to the United Nations headquarters, is preparing to host the U.N. General Assembly this fall. But Democratic Socialist NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani is still clinging to one of his most provocative campaign pledges: seeking the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if the Israeli leader comes to the city for the gathering.
“I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in the Hague,” Mr. Mamdani told Lulu Garcia-Navarro this week on “The Interview,” a New York Times show, referring to the Dutch city that is home to the United Nations’ International Court of Justice.
“He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court,” Mr. Mamdani added. “And what you will find is that is an opinion that is held by many, purely because of what his actions have wrought over these last many years.”
Mamdani did not stop there. He acknowledged that he is not entirely certain “whether he has the legal authority” to order such an arrest and said he is still consulting with his administration’s Law Department on the question.
Netanyahu, for his part, pushed back during an appearance with a WABC radio host, arguing that Mamdani’s remarks reveal exactly where the New York City mayor stands — alongside terrorist groups such as Hamas:
Netanyahu, appearing on Sid Rosenberg’s radio show, claims Mamdani “champions” Hamas and “apologizes and accuses for Iran,
“He is with the terror actors… I think, secretly, he hates America.” pic.twitter.com/x2ILVvhAFX
— Jacob N. Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) July 15, 2026
