Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brushed off a threat from New York City’s likely next mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who vowed to have him arrested if he visits the city. Speaking from the White House, Netanyahu called the warning “silly” and “folly,” making clear he has no intention of backing down. “I’m going to come there with President Trump and we’ll see,” Netanyahu stated confidently.
Mamdani, a democratic socialist and radical activist, won the Democratic primary in June by defeating former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. He pledged to arrest Netanyahu under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant tied to Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
When asked if he would still seek to arrest Netanyahu despite Israel not being part of the ICC, Mamdani explained, “It’s time that we actually step up and make clear what we are willing to do to showcase the leadership that is sorely missing in the federal administration.”
President Trump, standing alongside Netanyahu during the visit, dismissed Mamdani’s rhetoric and assured reporters, “I’ll get him out.” He added a clear warning to Mamdani: “He better behave, otherwise he’s going to have big problems.” Trump also called Mamdani a “communist” and condemned his history of inflammatory remarks, including accusations of antisemitism.
The comments came during Netanyahu’s third U.S. visit in six months, part of ongoing talks surrounding cease-fire terms with Hamas. During the visit, Netanyahu surprised Trump by nominating him for a Nobel Peace Prize, acknowledging his role in strengthening U.S.-Israel relations and pursuing regional stability. The nomination was met with applause from conservative leaders and Christian supporters of Israel.
With tensions rising in the Middle East and radical voices gaining influence in U.S. cities, the Mamdani-Netanyahu clash signals growing friction between local progressive politics and national foreign policy. Netanyahu’s visit and Trump’s backing reaffirm strong U.S.-Israel ties despite political theatrics from the far-left.
