Just 30 minutes ago, New York Democratic Congressman Zohran Mamdani made a political splash when he bluntly declared that if he became Mayor of New York City, he would order the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he ever set foot in the city. Mamdani’s statement quickly went viral on social media, creating a wave of fierce controversy both domestically and internationally.
Zohran Mamdani, who is of Indian descent and one of the most prominent progressive figures in New York state politics, said the main reason for his statement was because “Netanyahu has committed war crimes with his actions in Gaza.” He stressed that “anyone, regardless of position, who violates human rights and international law, must be held accountable before the law – even if that person is the Prime Minister of an allied country.”
Mamdani’s shocking remarks come amid an ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, with thousands of civilians killed and reports from international human rights organizations accusing Israel of using excessive force in the Gaza Strip. Mamdani asserted that “the silence of American leaders in condemning Netanyahu is unacceptable” and that he “would act if he had the power.”
Although he is only a state lawmaker and has not yet formally run for mayor, the statement is seen as a strategic move to attract the attention of younger voters who have increasingly lost faith in traditional US foreign policy. Many of Mamdani’s supporters have praised him as “a man who dares to speak the truth” and “does not bow to power and allies.”
However, the reaction from other politicians has been extremely harsh. Some Republicans have called him a “dangerous extremist,” while current New York Mayor Eric Adams has dismissed the notion, saying: “New York City is a place that welcomes heads of state. It is not a place for hostile foreign policy.”
The Israeli government was quick to respond. A Foreign Ministry spokesman said Mamdani’s “statements are baseless, dangerous, and incite hatred.” Some sources in Tel Aviv even said they were asking the US government to take action against such statements.
Meanwhile, on social network X (Twitter), the debate is hotter than ever. One side believes that Mamdani is simply voicing what many Americans, especially young people, are thinking: frustration with Washington’s handling of issues in the Middle East. Others accuse him of promoting anti-Semitism and inciting division within the United States.
The question is: is Zohran Mamdani serious about his statement, or is it just a ploy to boost his own image in a volatile political climate? Whatever the answer, one thing is certain: he has ignited a fierce debate, not only about American foreign policy, but also about the role of progressive leaders in the country’s future.
