SerpApi.Org
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani doubled down Wednesday on his warning that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "not welcome" in his city for his alleged war crimes.
The 34-year-old Democratic Socialist made the remark a day after releasing an unprecedented video on social media calling on the Trump administration to join and carry out the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Netanyahu for alleged crimes against humanity, ahead of a rumored visit this week that appears to have fallen through and a scheduled visit in September for the United Nations General Assembly. In the video, Mamdani said his team was unable to find any legal avenues to carry out the arrest himself, prompting him to call on the Trump administration to reconsider.
In response, President Donald Trump vowed that Netanyahu would not face arrest anywhere on U.S. soil "in any way, shape, or form."
• Trump vows to protect Benjamin Netanyahu from US arrest after NYC mayor's threat
• Zohran Mamdani abandons plan to arrest Netanyahu as he unleashes scathing video message
"Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America," Trump wrote Tuesday on Truth Social. "He is fighting against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which recently killed 52,000 innocent protestors, and has spent the last 47 years killing American Soldiers, and others.
Trump added, "The only ones that should be arrested are the people that led Iran into this unprecedented SPIRAL OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION, something that should have been dealt with years ago, by previous Presidents! President DONALD J. TRUMP."
Mamdani went on to double down on his previous calls during an unrelated press conference on Wednesday, where he expressed sympathy with New Yorkers who were frustrated by his announcement that lacks the power to arrest the alleged war criminal.
"When it comes to New Yorkers who are disappointed, I understand it because we are talking about someone who has been charged with crimes against humanity, who has visited this city on many occasions and who has been welcomed by previous mayors," Mamdani said. However, he went on to vow that Netanyahu's historical welcome to New York City ends under his reign.
"I want to make it very clear that that welcome ends with me. I will not be welcoming Benjamin Netanyahu or any other war criminals when they come to this city," Mamdani declared Wednesday, while reiterating calls for the White House to take action.
"I do believe that our federal government should join the International Criminal Court and ensure that there is accountability when it comes to crimes against humanity," he said, adding "that is something that I want to see happen."
The Jerusalem Post reported earlier in the week that Netanyahu was planning on traveling to the U.S. primarily to attend a memorial service for Graham and potentially meet with Trump, marking his first visit to the U.S. since the Iran war broke out in late February.
However, his travel plans have been pushed off and currently remain up in the air, an Israeli official told The Times of Israel.
The late South Carolina Republican senator died at age 71 over the weekend from a "brief and sudden illness," according to his office.
Graham was widely considered one of Netanyahu's strongest allies in the Senate as one of the most prominent warhawks in Washington. Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, issued a statement Sunday about his passing.
"Lindsey understood that the security of Israel and America are inseparable. He devoted his life to defending America, strengthening our alliance and standing up for the free world," Netanyahu said in the statement. "Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend. Our hearts are with Lindsey's family and with the American people at this difficult time. May his values and initiatives continue to guide us toward victory and peace, and may his memory forever be a blessing."
