New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's recent admission that he lacks the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has done little to ease ongoing tensions between himself and the Jewish community.Jewish leaders told Fox News Digital that they are still concerned about the mayor's rhetoric, which they believe deepens divisions at a time of heightened concern over antisemitism.Israel has remained one of the defining points of tension between Mamdani and the Jewish community in New York City since his campaign.
When running for mayor, Mamdani said that he would seek to arrest Netanyahu, despite many pointing out that he did not have the authority to do so, which he ultimately admitted on Tuesday.The issue resurfaced this week after Mamdani released a video explaining that while City Hall lacks the authority to arrest Netanyahu, he believes the prime minister should be held accountable under the International Criminal Court's warrant.New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's video admitting that he lacks the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did little to ease Jewish leaders' concerns.(NYC Mayor's Office via YouTube/Handout via Reuters)MAMDANI GOES BACK ON CAMPAIGN PROMISE, SAYS NYC CAN'T ARREST NETANYAHUIn a video posted on social media, Mamdani called Netanyahu "a war criminal" and "the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people.""My administration has reviewed every avenue available under applicable law to determine whether New York City could execute the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant if Benjamin Netanyahu came here.
It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant," he said.Nevertheless, he added that the Israeli leader was "not welcome in New York City."Jewish leaders who spoke with Fox News Digital said the mayor's legal concession did little to address the community's concerns about Mamdani's rhetoric, which they believe fuels divis...