Mamdani pummeled online as critics call possible Netanyahu arrest ‘pure political theater’
Mayor of New York Zohran Mamdani He was slammed by critics on social media on Saturday after New York City lawyers said they were investigating whether New York police could arrest the Israeli Prime Minister. Benjamin Netanyahu When he visited Manhattan for the United Nations General Assembly in September, he argued that the mayor lacked authority and was interfering in U.S. foreign policy.
“Whatever the law allows me to do New York CityThat is what we will do, but we will not write our own laws for that purpose,” Mamdani said. Interview with The New York Times.
The mayor said The city’s Law Department was actively discussing the issue and reiterated its support for the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Netanyahu.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said his administration is investigating whether the NYPD could arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the UN General Assembly.
“I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in the Hague. He is a war criminal indicted by the International Criminal Court. And what you will see is that this is an idea that has been embraced by many people and is entirely driven by the consequences of his actions in recent years,” Mamdani told The New York Times.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said: “Federal authority trumps the wishes of any local mayor. This is pure political theatre.” said in x.
Waltz noted several legal hurdles, including America’s not being a party to the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court, diplomatic protections surrounding U.N. visits and immunity for foreign leaders.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may visit New York for the UN General Assembly in September despite an extraordinary decision by the International Criminal Court.
House Republicans call on Mamdani Turning its attention to problems in the five boroughs rather than trying to involve local police in international affairs.
“Mamdani is threatening to decapitate one of our closest allies,” House Republicans said. said in x. “It should stop politicizing local law enforcement and interfering in U.S. foreign policy and instead focus on rising rent and housing prices and antisemitism in New York.”
Former New York Mayor Eric Adams, who preceded Mamdani, said the offer could also have consequences for Americans serving abroad and promised to invite Netanyahu to the city.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz called Mamdani’s possible arrest of Netanyahu “pure political theater” and argued that federal authority would prevail.
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“This is not a college protest. This is New York City,” Adams said. said in x. “Threatening to arrest the democratically elected leader of one of America’s closest allies with arrest during UN General Assembly week is not brave. It’s reckless.”
Republican New York City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino went further, saying: argue over x He said any effort to enforce the ICC order would amount to rebellion against federal authority.
“I want to be clear, this may be an act of rebellion,” Paladino said. “The United States is not a party to the ICC and has no jurisdiction in this country. No law enforcement agency at any level has the authority to enforce its orders.”
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The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024, due to allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel’s military operation in Gaza. Israel denied the allegations and challenged the court’s jurisdiction.
The United States is not a member of the ICC. federal law prohibitions State and local government agencies to cooperate with ICC requests or provide support to the court.
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The New York City Mayor’s office did not immediately respond to that question. Fox News Digital‘s request for comment.
Original article source: Mamdani takes a hit online as critics call Netanyahu’s possible arrest ‘pure political theatre’
