WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews) – U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., sharply criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday for what he described as a selective focus on arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the upcoming U.N. General Assembly while remaining silent on representatives of the Iranian regime.

Mamdani, a vocal critic of Israel, has repeatedly stated his desire to see Netanyahu arrested if he visits New York for the General Assembly in September, citing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued against the Israeli leader in November 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the conflict in Gaza. He has described Netanyahu as a “war criminal” who belongs in The Hague.

In recent days, Mamdani appeared to walk back any immediate plans, acknowledging that New York City lacks independent legal authority to enforce the ICC warrant and calling instead on the federal government to act.

Cotton highlighted what he called a glaring inconsistency in Mamdani’s stance.

“Is Zohran Mamdani threatening to arrest butchers from Iran who have killed tens of thousands of their own people, or genuine war criminals from other countries? No. The one person he cites is the leader of the Jewish State of Israel,” Cotton said.

Iranian diplomats routinely attend U.N. sessions in New York, and the regime has long faced international accusations of widespread human rights abuses, including the violent suppression of protests that have resulted in thousands of deaths, as well as support for terrorism across the Middle East.

Cotton, a longtime supporter of Israel and critic of Iran, urged Mamdani to focus on governing New York City rather than foreign policy grandstanding.

“Mamdani is a mayor. He should focus more on picking up the trash, fixing the potholes, and cracking down on crime,” Cotton added.

The exchange comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the annual U.N. gathering, where world leaders including Netanyahu are expected to speak. Israel and the United States do not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction, and U.S. officials have previously vowed to prevent any enforcement of the warrant against Netanyahu.