New York’s Mamdani reaffirms stance on Netanyahu’s arrest

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has reasserted his stance on the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The warrants were issued in November 2024, accusing Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza and Palestine from October 2023 to May 2024.

During an appearance on Theo Von’s podcast on October 1, Mamdani affirmed his support for the U.S. government joining the ICC and honoring the warrants. He called Netanyahu "the architect of a horrific genocide," citing recent killings of Palestinian civilians by Israeli forces. Mamdani dismissed accusations of antisemitism, stating that criticism of Israeli policies does not equate to hatred towards Jews.

He also defended his political ideology, emphasizing that socialism involves ensuring people have the necessities for a dignified life, such as housing, child care, and affordable public transit. Mamdani highlighted the city's initiative to establish five grocery stores offering lower-priced goods, emphasizing the government's responsibility to provide for citizens priced out of essential services.