MANHATTAN, New York โ Republican New York State Senate candidate Alina Bonsell is demanding that Mayor Zohran Mamdani explain his earlier promises to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as the Israeli leader prepares to travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
Bonsell, who is running in Senate District 28 on the Republican and independent Block Mamdani lines, accused the mayor Thursday of having misled New Yorkers by repeatedly raising the prospect of executing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Netanyahu.
Mamdani did pledge during his mayoral campaign to have Netanyahu arrested if the Israeli prime minister entered New York. After taking office, he continued exploring whether the city had legal authority to act on the ICC warrant.
In July, however, Mamdani announced that the city’s legal review had concluded New York did not have independent authority to execute the warrant. He instead called on the federal government to act.
Bonsell argues that the reversal raises questions about why Mamdani made the arrest pledge in the first place.
“Mayor Mamdani owes the people of New York a direct apology and a real explanation,” Bonsell said in a statement released September 17.
“For months, he used the International Criminal Court warrant to generate cheap public attention, boldly promising that he would seek Netanyahu’s arrest the moment he set foot in our city.”
Bonsell’s assertion that Mamdani knew from the beginning that he lacked legal authority is a political accusation. The public record shows that Mamdani made the pledge and later acknowledged that New York lacked authority, but it does not show that he knowingly made a promise he believed was legally impossible at the time.
Netanyahu Heading To New York
Netanyahu is expected in New York during the UN General Assembly’s high-level week, which begins September 22 at United Nations Headquarters. The UN’s 81st General Assembly general debate runs from September 22 through September 28.
His expected presence has renewed attention on Mamdani’s earlier statements.
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024, alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza war. Israel rejects the ICC’s jurisdiction and allegations against its leaders.
The United States is not a member of the ICC and has no domestic mechanism for New York City police to execute the court’s warrant. Legal experts have also pointed to immunity issues and U.S. law as additional obstacles.
President Donald Trump said in July that Netanyahu would not be arrested while in the United States.
After consulting the New York City Law Department, Mamdani acknowledged on July 21 that the city lacked “independent legal authority” to enforce the warrant. He nevertheless maintained his support for the ICC action and said Netanyahu was not welcome in New York.
“Now, the reality is here,” Bonsell said. “Netanyahu is arriving next week, and Mayor Mamdani looks ridiculous because nothing is going to happen.”
She characterized the earlier arrest pledge as “deliberate political theater designed to exploit a serious global issue for personal media clout.”
That characterization represents Bonsell’s political assessment of Mamdani’s actions.
Security Concerns Ahead Of Visit
Bonsell also shifted her criticism toward security concerns surrounding Netanyahu’s visit and demonstrations expected during the UN gathering.
She argued that rhetoric surrounding Israel could have consequences for Jewish New Yorkers and called on the mayor to explicitly urge protesters to remain peaceful.
“The Mayor’s responsibility is not to provoke one side or mobilize another,” Bonsell said. “His responsibility is to protect every New Yorker, support the NYPD, and make clear that violence, intimidation, vandalism, and attacks against Jewish residents will not be tolerated.”
Mamdani has said the NYPD is preparing for Netanyahu’s visit and potential demonstrations. Speaking Thursday, he expressed confidence in the department’s ability to handle the security requirements surrounding the visit.
Bonsell called on the mayor to publicly urge peaceful demonstrations, respect for the law, and cooperation with police before Netanyahu arrives.
“Leadership means calming tensions before someone gets hurt, not adding fuel to an already dangerous situation,” she said. “Mayor Mamdani must tell New Yorkers what his administration is doing to keep our city safe.”
State Senate Campaign
Bonsell is challenging Democratic State Sen. Liz Krueger in New York’s 28th Senate District.
Her campaign has also created the independent Block Mamdani ballot line as part of its opposition to Mamdani and progressive policies in New York.
Bonsell describes those policies as making the city less affordable and less safe, while Mamdani and his supporters argue that his agenda is intended to address affordability and economic inequality.
The dispute over Netanyahu is now moving from a hypothetical legal question to a practical political and security issue as world leaders arrive in Manhattan.
Netanyahu’s visit will take place despite Mamdani’s opposition to the Israeli prime minister and the outstanding ICC warrant. The mayor has acknowledged that New York City cannot execute that warrant, while continuing to argue that federal authorities should enforce it.
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