Republican NYC Councilwoman Inna Vernikov dares radical Mayor Zohran Mamdani to follow through on his absurd campaign pledge to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—right on Mamdani’s first day in office.

Vernikov’s Bold Challenge

Republican Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, representing southern Brooklyn’s heavily Jewish 48th District, issued a formal invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

She scheduled his speaking event for January 1, 2026, to coincide with newly inaugurated Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first day in office. Vernikov directly referenced Mamdani’s repeated campaign pledge to arrest Netanyahu upon entering the city. Her letter called Mamdani’s statements “irresponsible and frankly absurd.” This move forces Mamdani to confront the gap between fiery rhetoric and governing reality. Under President Trump’s strong leadership, such radical overreach faces rightful pushback from patriots defending America’s allies.

Mamdani’s Unrealistic Campaign Pledge

Mamdani built his mayoral campaign around enforcing a 2024 International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Netanyahu for alleged Gaza war crimes. In a September 2025 New York Times interview, Mamdani doubled down, claiming cities must lead where the federal government fails. The U.S. rejects ICC authority outright. Mamdani won in November 2025 despite fierce opposition from NYC’s influential Jewish community. Post-election, he pivoted to reassure Jewish New Yorkers of his anti-antisemitism commitment. Yet his core pledge undermines U.S.-Israel ties and promotes globalist overreach that conservatives reject.

Legal Barriers Crush Mamdani’s Fantasy

Legal experts unanimously doubt that any New York City mayor has the power to arrest a foreign head of state. Even a supporter of Mamdani, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), stated plainly: “The City of New York has no jurisdiction to do such a thing.”

The NYPD lacks the authority to enforce foreign warrants unrecognized by the U.S. federal government. Attempting arrest would trigger federal intervention and diplomatic disaster. Vernikov’s invitation exposes this as political theater, not serious policy. Common sense prevails: local officials cannot usurp federal foreign policy, protecting American sovereignty and alliances.

Mamdani’s threats ignore these constraints, prioritizing radical activism over practical governance. This aligns with leftist patterns of empty promises that erode trust in institutions.

Backlash from the Jewish Community

NYC’s substantial Jewish population mobilized against Mamdani. Late October 2025 saw over 650 rabbis sign a condemnation letter. Major groups—UJA-Federation, JCRC-NY, ADL, AJC, and New York Board of Rabbis—issued a joint statement. They declared Mamdani’s beliefs “fundamentally at odds with our community’s deepest convictions.”

Vernikov, defending her constituents, praised Israel as a “beacon of hope, freedom, western values” amid tyranny. Her stand resonates with conservatives valuing family, faith, and strong U.S.-Israel bonds against antisemitic rhetoric.

The episode highlights shifting NYC politics, where Mamdani prevailed despite opposition, signaling voter divides on Israel-Palestine. As of January 2, 2026, Netanyahu’s visit status remains unclear, but the challenge underscores the risks of importing international disputes into local governance.

Sources:

GOP NYC Councilwoman Openly Dares Mamdani to Arrest Netanyahu With New Year’s Invite

NYC lawmaker dares Mamdani to make good on pipe dream pledge by inviting Netanyahu

NYC pol trolls Mamdani by inviting Netanyahu to speak on his inauguration day

Benjamin Netanyahu says he will visit New York City soon despite arrest threats from Zohran Mamdani