NYC Council Member Invites Netanyahu to City Hall After mayor-Elect Mamdani Vows Arrest
NEW YORK – New York City Council Member Inna Vernikov has extended an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit City Hall, a move directly following statements from Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani promising to arrest Netanyahu should teh Israeli leader set foot in New York City. The invitation, publicly announced on X (formerly Twitter) on June 12, 2025, is a defiant response to Mamdani’s pledge and underscores growing tensions surrounding the incoming mayor’s stance on Israel.
The escalating conflict stems from Mamdani’s controversial views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which have drawn widespread criticism from Jewish community leaders and accusations of antisemitism. More than 650 rabbis signed a letter in late October 2024 condemning Mamdani’s positions, and a joint statement released by The UJA-Federation of New york, JCRC-NY, ADL New York/New Jersey, AJC New York and the New York Board of Rabbis following his election warned that his beliefs were “fundamentally at odds with our community’s deepest convictions.” The potential arrest of a foreign head of state based on political disagreements raises important legal and diplomatic questions, and Vernikov’s invitation is a direct challenge to Mamdani’s authority.
Mamdani has publicly stated his intention to pursue the arrest of Netanyahu,citing an international criminal court warrant. “If Benjamin Netanyahu steps foot in New York City, we will arrest him,” Mamdani declared following the issuance of the warrant. However, the legal feasibility of such an action by a local mayor remains unclear, given the complexities of international law and diplomatic immunity.
Since his election, Mamdani has attempted to address concerns within the Jewish community. “We will build a city Hall that stands steadfast alongside Jewish New Yorkers and does not waver in the fight against the scourge of antisemitism,” he said on election night. He further stated the following day that he takes the issue of antisemitism “incredibly seriously.”
Vernikov, a vocal supporter of Israel, framed her invitation as a demonstration of New York City’s continued support for it’s ally. The situation highlights a deepening divide within the city and sets the stage for a perhaps contentious relationship between the incoming administration and a significant segment of the New York electorate.
