WATCH THIS: Mamdani Won’t Say Whether Hamas Should Lay Down Their Arms

Mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani once again refused to call on Hamas to surrender its weapons on Wednesday, while reaffirming his controversial pledge to have Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu arrested should he visit New York City.

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The Democratic candidate appeared on Fox News’ “The Story with Martha MacCallum,” where the host pressed him on his views regarding Hamas, Israel, and the cease-fire in Gaza.

MacCallum repeatedly asked Mamdani if he believed Hamas should disarm and relinquish control of Gaza — a central requirement of the agreement the terror group has rejected. Instead of giving a direct answer, Mamdani danced around the question.

The outspoken socialist attempted to change the subject, bringing up the high cost of living in New York before offering a vague response that touched on both Hamas and Israel.

“I don’t really have opinions about the future of Hamas and Israel beyond the question of justice and safety, and the fact that anything has to abide by international law,” he said.

“That applies to Hamas, that applies to the Israeli military, applies to anyone you could ask me about.”

Although he sidestepped several questions, Mamdani remained adamant that if elected mayor, he would order the NYPD to arrest Netanyahu, citing the International Criminal Court’s warrant against him — despite the fact that the United States does not recognize the ICC’s authority.

When MacCallum reminded him that the U.S. is not a party to the ICC treaty, Mamdani softened his tone, suggesting his position was rooted in moral principle rather than legal authority, and referencing the court’s similar warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I believe that we should uphold arrests warrants by the International Criminal Court, and that we should do so only in abiding with all of the laws in front of us,” he said.

“I can tell you that I’m going to exhaust every legal option in front me, not to make new laws to do so.”

Mamdani did, however, express agreement that Hamas should “absolutely” return the remains of slain Israeli-American hostages Itay Chen and Omer Neutra.

“I have no issue with critiquing Hamas or the Israeli government because my critiques all come from a place of universal human rights,” he said.

MacCallum then asked whether he would credit President Trump for brokering the cease-fire deal — a question that visibly made him uncomfortable.

“I think it’s too early to do so,” Mamdani said. “But if it proves to be something that is lasting, something that is durable, I think that’s where you go.”

At one point, Mamdani looked straight into the camera and addressed Trump directly, responding to the president’s repeated threats to cut federal funding for New York City if he were elected. In doing so, he also took shots at current Mayor Eric Adams and former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

“I will not be not be a mayor like Mayor Adams, who will call you to figure out how to stay out of jail,” he said, referencing Adams’ dismissed federal corruption probe.

“I won’t be a disgraced governor like Andrew Cuomo, who will call you to ask how to win this election,” he continued.

“I can do those things on my own. I will, however, be a mayor who is ready to speak at any time to lower the cost of living. That’s the way that I’m going to lead this city.”

{Matzav.com}