In a Tuesday opinion column, New York Times foreign affairs columnist Thomas L. Friedman argued that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's calls to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were politically counterproductive and could ultimately strengthen Netanyahu's standing among Israeli voters.
Friedman contended that Mamdani's comments regarding the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Netanyahu handed the Israeli leader a powerful campaign message ahead of Israel's October election by reinforcing his long-standing claim that Jews are safest in Israel under his leadership.
The columnist criticized both Netanyahu and Mamdani for rejecting a two-state framework, arguing that each advances opposing visions that leave little room for a lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to Friedman, Netanyahu's policies point toward permanent Israeli control over the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, while Mamdani's opposition to a Jewish state similarly offers no realistic path to peace.
Friedman urged Mamdani instead to use his office as mayor of a city with large Jewish and Muslim populations to convene Israeli, Palestinian, Arab, Jewish and American leaders committed to advancing a two-state solution. He proposed inviting former U.S. Presidents, regional representatives, Israeli-Arab coexistence organizations, Palestinian leaders, and Israeli peace advocates to promote dialogue and show that support for both Israeli and Palestinian self-determination remains possible.
Friedman concluded that Mamdani's rhetoric risks driving more Israeli voters toward Netanyahu by reinforcing his argument that Israel faces growing international hostility, while missing an opportunity to position New York as a forum for reconciliation and constructive dialogue.