New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov sent a sharp letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio following Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s threat to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his expected visit to the city, the New York Post reported Sunday.
1+In the letter, Vernikov demanded the State Department examine whether an attempt to arrest Netanyahu would violate U.S. law, and called for considering legal action against Mamdani:
“I respectfully request that the State Department issue a serious warning and provide its opinion on whether such an act would violate U.S. law in a manner that would lead to prosecution or criminal action by the federal administration against Mayor Mamdani.”
Vernikov added that “Mamdani’s threat to issue an illegal arrest warrant must have consequences,” arguing the mayor is overstepping his authority and interfering in foreign affairs outside his jurisdiction.
1+The controversy erupted after Mamdani told the New York Times he’s exploring legal options to arrest Netanyahu when he arrives in Manhattan ahead of the UN General Assembly this fall: “I believe Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague,” adding that “active discussions” are underway on the matter.
His remarks drew sharp criticism from politicians in New York and across the United States. New York State Assemblyman Kalman Yeger called Mamdani “delusional,” while Democratic Senator John Fetterman called him a “clown.”