Hold onto your hats, folks—New York City’s mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani just dodged a direct question on Hamas disarming while doubling down on a bold promise to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he steps foot in the Big Apple.

During a recent fiery interview on Fox News with Martha MacCallum, Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor, made waves with his unyielding stance on international law and his sharp critiques of both local and global figures.

On Wednesday, Mamdani sat down with MacCallum on “The Story,” facing tough questions about the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The host pressed him hard on whether Hamas should relinquish its weapons and leadership role. Mamdani sidestepped the issue, refusing to give a straight answer.

Mamdani dodges Hamas disarmament question

Instead of addressing Hamas directly, Mamdani pivoted to domestic concerns, waxing poetic about affordability in New York City. It’s a classic move—steer the ship back to safe harbor when the waters get choppy. But does this dodge inspire confidence in a potential mayor tackling complex global issues?

Then came the bombshell: Mamdani reiterated his pledge to have the NYPD arrest Netanyahu should the Israeli leader visit New York, citing an International Criminal Court warrant. MacCallum pointed out that the U.S. hasn’t signed onto the ICC treaty, a fact that didn’t faze Mamdani one bit. He insisted his stance is rooted in principle and legality, even comparing it to a similar warrant for Vladimir Putin.

“I believe that we should uphold arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court, and that we should do so only in abiding with all of the laws in front of us,” Mamdani declared (Zohran Mamdani, Fox News interview). Nice sentiment, but when the U.S. isn’t bound by the ICC, this feels more like a political statement than a practical policy. Is this the kind of leadership New York needs—grand gestures over grounded governance?

Netanyahu arrest pledge sparks debate

Mamdani clarified he wouldn’t push for new laws to make this arrest happen, only exhausting existing legal options. It’s a cautious caveat, but one wonders if this energy might be better spent on, say, fixing the city’s skyrocketing rent crisis.

On the topic of Hamas, Mamdani did concede one point: the group should return the bodies of deceased Israeli-American hostages Itay Chen and Omer Neutra. He called it an “absolute” necessity, a rare moment of clarity in an otherwise murky discussion (Zohran Mamdani, Fox News interview). At least there’s some moral footing here, even if it’s a small step.

Still, his broader critiques of both Hamas and the Israeli government were framed in the language of universal human rights. While noble in theory, this balanced approach risks alienating folks on both sides of the aisle who crave decisive leadership, not diplomatic tightrope-walking.

Domestic focus amid international controversy

Mamdani didn’t shy away from domestic jabs either, taking aim at political rivals like Mayor Eric Adams and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He also rebuffed threats from President Trump about withholding federal funds from New York City. This man’s got no shortage of foes to call out.

When asked if he’d credit Trump for a potential cease-fire deal in the Middle East, Mamdani played it coy, saying it’s too soon to judge, but he’d consider it if the deal holds. It’s a begrudging nod, but better than nothing for those hoping for bipartisan olive branches.

Back on the home front, Mamdani’s core message was clear: lowering the cost of living is his top priority as a potential mayor. It’s a bread-and-butter issue that resonates with everyday New Yorkers tired of shelling out half their paycheck for a shoebox apartment.

Balancing global stances with local needs

Yet, one can’t help but wonder if Mamdani’s focus on international controversies might overshadow these pressing local needs. New Yorkers want a mayor who fights for them, not one auditioning for a seat at the United Nations. Will his global posturing play well in the five boroughs?

His refusal to directly condemn Hamas’s arsenal raises eyebrows for those who see the group as a clear threat to peace. While Mamdani’s commitment to international law sounds principled, it risks coming off as detached from the gritty realities of security concerns.

In the end, Mamdani’s interview painted a picture of a candidate with big ideas and bigger controversies. Whether his blend of progressive ideals and tough talk on global figures wins over New York voters remains to be seen. For now, he’s a lightning rod in a city that’s never short on storms.