Mamdanis baseless Netanyahu arrest order: Letters to the Editor July 21, 2026

Mayor Mamdani’s threat to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu adds enormous fuel to the antisemitic inferno in the United States (“Zo: I’d like to bust Bibi,” July 19).It serves as a powerful incentive to perpetrate further hatred and attacks against Jews.He says he is going to do “what the law allows.” Claiming the law justifies attacks against Jews is something they are all too familiar with.Whether the progenitor is a smarmy, smiling young ideologue, or a goose-stepping, mustached maniac, the ultimate purpose is the same — death to Jews.Marc KasowitzManhattanThere are three problems with Mamdani exploring whether he can arrest Netanyahu.First, the United States does not recognize the authority of the International Criminal Court.Second, the Constitution establishes the supremacy of the federal government in formulating and executing foreign policy.Third, there is no shortage of problems in New York City which require the mayor’s attention.

His performative and futile deliberations over arresting Netanyahu are a waste of time and city taxpayer dollars.Daniel TrigoboffWilliamsvilleFormer Mayors Robert Wagner, Ed Koch and Rudy Giuliani did not threaten Fidel Castro during the three times he spoke at the United Nations.Mamdani probably would have presented him with the key to the city.T.

KingManhattanPart of me hopes Mamdani follows through on his threat to have Netanyahu arrested.He would learn very quickly that political theater has legal consequences.A mayor has no authority to turn an ICC warrant into an NYPD arrest order.

The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute, and local officials do not get to conduct foreign policy.If Mamdani actually arrested Netanyahu, it would mean potential false imprisonment, civil-rights liability and possibly federal legal exposure for causing the detention of a protected foreign official.Mamdani would not be arresting Netanyahu — he would be creating Exhibit A against himself.Arie BlitzWe...