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PaperclipPerfector  7d ago (text post)   22890 thread views

Culture War Roundup for the week of July 13, 2026

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Zohran Mamdani is threatening to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu when he visits the UN in September

18 USC 878 makes it a federal crime to threaten to imprison any foreign head of state, which suggests that the DOJ has grounds to take action against Mamdani here. This would, of course, cause absolutely nuclear levels of insanity to erupt, especially since I have very little faith in the media not to frame it as "Fascist Trump arrests political rival". But also, it's also extremely unlikely that there will be an actual attempt to arrest Netanyahu, since that would require the NYPD to tangle with the United States Secret Service. All of this seems obvious to me, which means it must be obvious to Mamdani, which raises the question, what is his play here? Even the suggestion that the city that hosts the UN would seriously consider arresting guests of the UN should be insanely problematic.

He's obviously not going to seriously try to do this. He'll go to Florence if he does, and he knows it. Equally obviously, he has lots of supporters who eat this stuff up. This is a political stunt, and he knows better than to try.

He's obviously not going to seriously try to do this. He'll go to Florence if he does, and he knows it. Equally obviously, he has lots of supporters who eat this stuff up. This is a political stunt, and he knows better than to try.

I tend to agree with this, but from a tactical point of view, it seems misguided to me. What happens when Netanyahu visits NYC and nothing happens? Seems to me that Mamdani loses face with his supporters. Because it's not a situation where Mamdani can have Netanyahu arrested; wait for the courts to order him released; and then shrug his shoulders and tell his supporters that he gave it his best shot.

I kinda hope that Netanyahu comes to New York and really rubs his visit in Mamdani's face. Apparently Gracie Mansion is open to the public for tours. I hope Netanyahu signs up for a tour and pins up an Israeli flag on the wall.

Mamdani needs an out to agree ahead of time not to arrest Netanyahu or this is an uncharacteristic political stumble.

'Uncharacteristic' stumble?

Mamdani hasn't had any fatal mistakes, but since election he's definitely gotten into unnecessary tiffs with members of the local and state Democratic party interest groups. Some of that may be catnip to some of his base, but I'd not peg him as someone above theatrics that cause inevitable discomfort down the line when political reality hits the road.

He put a collar and leash on Hochul and walked her around the room. That's not a tiff, that's winning.

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