New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is currently exploring the legal feasibility of arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he arrive in the city for the United Nations General Assembly this coming September.
Mamdani noted that this possibility remains a central point of discussion within his office and that he continues to evaluate whether he possesses the authority to direct the New York City Police Department to detain a visiting foreign leader.
CNN reported that the mayor’s office is actively consulting with its legal department to determine the scope of his power in this matter.
Mamdani vowed to make this arrest during his mayoral campaign, citing the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant as justification. During a recent appearance on the podcast The Interview, Mamdani reiterated his stance:
“I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague. He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court. And what you will find is that is an opinion that is held by many purely because of what his actions have wrought over these last many years.”
The legal landscape surrounding this proposal is complex
Per CNN, the United States has not ratified the Rome Statute, which would typically obligate countries to honor ICC warrants. The ICC had issued a warrant for Netanyahu in 2024. Furthermore, the current administration, led by President Donald Trump, has taken a hostile stance toward the court.
Last year, the president sanctioned multiple prosecutors for endangering US and Israeli personnel. The administration has even announced a campaign to dismantle the institution. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the court’s actions as a form of warfare against the country.
Legal experts are weighing in on the friction this creates. According to The New York Times, Harold Hongju Koh, a professor of international law at Yale Law School, described the situation as “a game of chicken between the mayor on one side and Trump and Netanyahu on the other.”
Koh reportedly noted that the prime minister would likely be protected by sitting head of state immunity while inside the United Nations headquarters. However, he suggested that Netanyahu could be exposed to legal jeopardy while traveling through the city. “The real question is whether the prime minister is ready to face such a spectacle,” Koh added. “The same question applies to the mayor.”
When asked about his legal authority to enforce such an arrest, Mamdani emphasized in the interview that he does not intend to overstep established legal boundaries. “Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we will do, but we won’t be writing our own laws to that end,” he stated. He acknowledged that the conversation with the city’s Law Department is ongoing.
CNN reported that the reaction from Israeli officials has been dismissive. In an interview with WABC radio host Sid Rosenberg, Netanyahu criticized the mayor’s rhetoric and accused him of supporting Hamas. “I think he should look at who he’s condemning, who he’s praising,” the prime minister said.
“He’s condemning Israel, the one democracy that stands shoulder to shoulder with American values.” According to CNN, Netanyahu alleged the mayor’s stance indicated something deeper. He stated, “And in fact I think, secretly, he hates America.”
Per the NYT, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, also weighed in on the controversy. In a statement posted on social media, Danon confirmed the prime minister’s plans. “Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will come to New York, address the United Nations General Assembly with pride, and stand before the world to state Israel’s truth and its unwavering right to defend its citizens,” Danon said.
For his part, reports indicate that Mamdani remains focused on the conflict in Gaza. He and various international bodies have described it as a genocide. He has consistently made his views on Israel a focal point of his political identity.
Published: Jul 20, 2026 10:02 am