WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
  • Zohran Mamdani said the United States should join the ICC and enforce its warrants, including the one targeting Benjamin Netanyahu.
  • The New York City mayor accused Netanyahu of being the architect of what Mamdani called a genocide in Gaza.
  • Mamdani previously backed down from his campaign promise to arrest Netanyahu after finding no legal avenue to do so.
  • Netanyahu recently criticized Mamdani at the United Nations and claimed Jews no longer feel safe in New York City.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani used a podcast appearance aired Thursday to argue that the United States should join the International Criminal Court and enforce its warrants, including the 2024 warrant targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

The socialist mayor delivered the broadside during an interview with popular podcaster Theo Von on “This Past Weekend.” Mamdani also accused Netanyahu of being responsible for what he called a genocide in Gaza.

“I believe that the US government should join the ICC. It should enforce its warrants for everyone,” Mamdani told the stand-up comedian.

WATCH:

Gold. Upgraded. Buy real gold from $1. Store it in America. Sell it with one click.

MORE NEWS: Ukraine Sends FP-7 Tactical Ballistic Missile Into Combat for First Time

Mamdani later sharpened his attack on the Israeli leader. “When you ask about the prime minister, we’re talking about the architect of a horrific genocide.”

The ICC has 124 member states and can prosecute crimes committed by citizens of those states. It also can prosecute crimes committed by others when those alleged offenses occur within the territory of a member state.

Neither Israel nor the United States is a member of the ICC, and both countries reject the international court’s jurisdiction. That reality has not stopped Mamdani from demanding that Washington sign up and carry out its warrants.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Following recent reports that Congress is considering a nationwide voter ID requirement for federal elections, do you support requiring voters to show identification before casting a ballot?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

US officials previously condemned the ICC warrant issued against Netanyahu. Officials including members of the Biden administration and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, described the warrant at the time as “shameful,” “unserious,” and “troubling.”

Mamdani, however, made arresting Netanyahu part of his mayoral campaign rhetoric. He vowed that the Israeli prime minister would be arrested if he ever set foot in the Big Apple.

The mayor acknowledged during the summer that he did not possess the authority to enforce the 2024 warrant. His campaign promise collided with that legal limitation after he took a closer look at what options were available.

Mamdani backed down in July after reviewing potential legal routes for arresting Netanyahu and finding none. Still, his appearance with Von showed that his support for the ICC and its warrant has not faded.

Close

MORE NEWS: Navy Scores Signal Victory as Free Wi-Fi Reaches 90% of Unaccompanied Housing

“If I had my say, the US government would have joined the ICC and honored every single warrant that they’ve issued,” Mamdani declared during the interview.

Netanyahu visited New York City last month for the United Nations General Assembly. During his speech, the Israeli prime minister tore into Mamdani and claimed that “Jews no longer feel safe” in the city under the mayor.

Netanyahu also criticized Mamdani for accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. He further targeted Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, over her decision to like social media posts critical of Israel.

“It was strange,” Mamdani said of Netanyahu’s criticism during the United Nations appearance.

Mamdani said he learned about Netanyahu’s comments after returning from a meeting elsewhere in Manhattan. “I was having a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands at the LGBTQ center in downtown Manhattan … and then I get back from that meeting, and it’s like, ‘Oh, by the way, here’s what he was saying at the UN.’”

The mayor claimed Netanyahu’s remarks were designed to divert attention. “All of this is an attempt to distract from responsibility,” Mamdani argued.

Mamdani then repeated his genocide accusation against Netanyahu. “If I was the architect of a genocide, I would probably talk about anything but that.”

The podcast appearance put Mamdani’s position back in the spotlight after his failed effort to identify a legal path for arresting Netanyahu. Although the mayor conceded that he cannot enforce the warrant, he remains adamant that the United States should join the ICC and honor its orders.

Gold is the oldest answer. SoundMoney makes owning it as easy as the apps you already use.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.