Zohran Mamdani refuses to ask Hamas to disarm, stands by Netanyahu arrest pledge

In case you're wondering who like's this fine fellow(Claude AI).

Strongest Performance: Young Voters

Mamdani dominates among younger age groups, with 55% support among voters aged 18-29 and 52% support among those aged 30-44 Poll: Mamdani Leads by 19 Points in New York City Mayoral Race | News | UMass Lowell. More recent polling shows he leads with 62% among 18-34 year olds and 60% among 35-49 year olds NYC mayoral race: New poll shows Mamdani still in the lead | FOX 5 New York.

Middle Age: Still Leading

Among voters aged 45-64, Mamdani leads with 44% support Poll: Mamdani Leads by 19 Points in New York City Mayoral Race | News | UMass Lowell, maintaining his advantage though by a smaller margin than with younger voters.

Weakest Performance: Older Voters

Cuomo slightly leads among voters over age 65, with 37% to Mamdani's 31% Poll: Mamdani Leads by 19 Points in New York City Mayoral Race | News | UMass Lowell. In other polling, Cuomo leads among those aged 50-59 (63% to 37%) and voters over 60 (56% to 44%) New York City Mayoral Poll: Mamdani Catches Cuomo In Rank Choice Voting - Emerson Polling.

The Pattern

There's a clear generational divide: Voters under 50 break for Mamdani by roughly a 2:1 margin, while Cuomo leads among voters over 50 Emerson PollingEmerson Polling. Young voters were instrumental in propelling Mamdani to victory in the Democratic primary, helping him overcome starting at just 1% in early polls Gen Z and first-time voters played a key role in Mamdani’s primary victory. Here’s how the youth vote is reshaping NYC politics.

This age gap reflects Mamdani's appeal as a 33-year-old progressive candidate who effectively mobilized younger, first-time voters through social media and grassroots organizing.

Zohran Mamdani refuses to ask Hamas to disarm, stands by Netanyahu arrest pledge

By Craig McCarthy and Matt Troutman

Published Oct. 15, 2025

Mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday repeatedly refused to say that Hamas should lay down its weapons — as he stood by his promise to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he comes to New York City.

The Democratic nominee went into the lion’s den for a highly anticipated interview on Fox News’ “The Story with Martha MacCullum,” where the host grilled the vocal critic of Israel on the cease-fire in Gaza.

Persistently pressed by MacCullum on if Hamas should put down its weapons — a key pillar of the deal that the terror group has refused to accept — and give up leadership in Gaza, Mamdani tried to wiggle out of the line of questioning.

The proud socialist pivoted to affordability in New York City before taking a half-hearted stab at 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.”

The at-turns affable and evasive Mamdani did stand firm on his vow that, if elected, he’d order the NYPD to arrest Netanyahu, who has a warrant out from the International Criminal Court, which the US does not recognize.

But when MacCullum pointed out that the US hasn’t signed the treaty for the ICC, Mamdani appeared to hint his stance was more one of principle – noting the court also issued a similar warrant for 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.”

Zohran Mamdani and a group of protestors wearing "Ceasefire Now" shirts at Grand Central Station.

Mamdani argued that Hamas should “absolutely” return the bodies of dead 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.

MacCullum bluntly asked Mamdani if he’d give President Trump credit for the cease-fire deal – a bridge too far for many of his fellow Democrats.

“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 another point in the rapid-fire interview, Mamdani dramatically spoke directly to the camera to address Trump – who has repeatedly threatened to withhold federal funding from New York City if the socialist is elected – and backhandedly insult Mayor Eric Adams and electoral rival 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, referring to Hizzoner’s controversially dismissed federal corruption case.

“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.”