New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has walked back a campaign pledge regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, conceding that the city lacks the legal authority to arrest him should he visit New York. The reversal reflects the practical limits of municipal power in international matters and represents a significant shift from his earlier position on the issue.

While retreating on the Netanyahu commitment, Mamdani has remained firm on other policy positions, particularly his call for the abolishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Despite expressing confidence in his ability to maintain a working relationship with President Donald Trump, the mayor has signalled his unwillingness to compromise on immigration enforcement reform, indicating an ongoing area of contention between City Hall and the Trump administration.