See more of our coverage in your search results.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani may have broken the law by threatening to arrest Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a local politician claimed - as he called for a formal state probe into Hizzoner.

State Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein (D-Brooklyn) wrote a letter Monday to state Attorney General Letitia James asking her to probe possible  misconduct  by Mamdani because New York law  directly prohibits the mayor from ordering local law enforcement to arrest a specific individual. 

Eichenstein said although an elected official can express his opinion, he  cannot attempt to leverage their executive authority to direct law enforcement action against an individual based on personal, political or ideological views. 

3 Mamdani, 34, campaigned on arresting Netanyahu should the Israeli leader set foot on New York City. James Messerschmidt for NY Post

3 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The letter, obtained The Post, notes that the US does not recognize the International Criminal Court, which issued a warrant for Netanyahu's arrest - so Mamdani cannot use an ICC warrant as a basis for alleged war crimes in Gaza.

 Under New York penal law, a public servant who knowingly performs an unauthorized act, and misuses their position to pressure law enforcement into making an arrest may be guilty of official misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor,  Eichenstein said.

 Given the potential serious implications of the mayor's actions, I respectfully urge your office to examine this matter to determine whether any New York State laws have been violated, or if these actions constitute criminal official misconduct. … I trust that your office will conduct an appropriate review to ensure that the laws of New York State are faithfully upheld. 

3 State Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein (D-Brooklyn) wrote a letter Monday to state Attorney General Letitia James asking her to probe possible Mamdani misconduct in his threat to apprehend Netanyahu. Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

Mamdani, 34, campaigned on arresting Netanyahu should

#nypost   #crimewatchnewyork