Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has ignited a fiery debate by suggesting that Democratic Party mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani should face arrest for proposing to detain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York City, as the New York Post reports.

The clash stems from Mamdani's controversial stance to order the NYPD to apprehend Netanyahu under an International Criminal Court warrant related to the Gaza conflict, a move Cuomo called illegal and a misuse of the justice system.

The dispute began when Mamdani, a candidate in the upcoming November mayoral race, reiterated his position in a recent New York Times interview.

Cuomo condemns proposal

Mamdani stated he would honor the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Netanyahu, citing charges tied to the ongoing war in Gaza.

Cuomo, running as an independent in the same race, quickly rebuked the idea, arguing it oversteps legal boundaries.

He labeled Mamdani’s suggestion as a dangerous politicization of law enforcement, calling it “absurd” in its scope.

Sharp criticism unfolds

Cuomo went further, stating, “It would be illegal.”

“The only person who should be arrested if that happened is Mamdani,” he added, emphasizing his belief that such an order would be unlawful.

He compared Mamdani’s proposal to actions he said were taken by President Donald Trump, alleging that both reflect a misuse of legal authority for political ends.

Tensions continue to rise

Cuomo also aimed at Mamdani’s history of critical comments about the NYPD, claiming the candidate had previously called the force racist.

“I haven’t heard him apologize for calling the NYPD racist,” Cuomo said, pressing the issue of accountability.

He noted Mamdani had promised to issue a public apology but has yet to do so, questioning the candidate’s sincerity.

Mamdani campaign fires back

In response, Dora Pekec, a spokesperson for Mamdani’s campaign, defended her candidate’s stance on the international warrant.

“Andrew Cuomo would rather arrest his political rival than condemn a war criminal charged with genocide,” Pekec stated, accusing Cuomo of prioritizing politics over ethics.

“Cuomo seemingly taking a page out of his long-time friend Donald Trump’s playbook isn’t just outrageous -- it’s authoritarian, it’s dangerous, and it’s morally bankrupt,” she added, escalating the war of words between the two camps.