NEW YORK — New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has disclosed that his administration is examining whether the city has the legal authority to act on an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he visit New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September.
In an interview published on Saturday by The New York Times, Mamdani reiterated his position that Netanyahu should face justice over allegations linked to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
“I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague,” Mamdani said, referring to the seat of the International Criminal Court. He described the Israeli leader as “a war criminal who has been charged by the ICC.”
The mayor, a vocal critic of Israel’s policies toward Palestinians, maintained that his remarks reflected a view shared by many observers based on the humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Gaza.
Mamdani, however, acknowledged that it remains unclear whether a New York City mayor has the legal authority to direct the New York Police Department (NYPD) to detain a visiting foreign head of government. He said the issue is currently being reviewed by the city’s legal advisers.
“Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we will do,” he stated.
The comments come ahead of the annual United Nations General Assembly, scheduled for September at the UN Headquarters in New York, where world leaders, including Netanyahu, are expected to participate.
Mamdani has previously expressed support for enforcing ICC arrest warrants against world leaders facing international prosecution, including Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, if they were to enter New York under circumstances where such action is legally permissible.
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu in 2024, stating there were reasonable grounds to believe he bore responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with Israel’s military operations in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on southern Israel. Israel has strongly rejected the allegations and disputes the ICC’s jurisdiction over the matter.
Mamdani’s latest remarks drew an immediate response from Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, who accused the mayor of politicising his office instead of addressing domestic concerns.
In a statement posted on X, Danon said Mamdani was neglecting pressing issues in New York, including what he described as a rise in antisemitic incidents, while seeking attention through criticism of Israel.
He insisted that Netanyahu would attend the UN General Assembly as planned and would continue to defend Israel’s actions before the international community.
Danon further argued that any attempt to target the Israeli prime minister would not alter Israel’s position, adding that, in his view, Mamdani—not Netanyahu—should face legal scrutiny.
Netanyahu has also been a longstanding critic of Mamdani. During a recent radio interview in New York, the Israeli prime minister accused the mayor of sympathising with Hamas and questioned his commitment to the United States, alleging that Mamdani harboured anti-American sentiments.
The exchange underscores growing political tensions ahead of the UN General Assembly, where the conflict in Gaza and international legal proceedings involving Israeli officials are expected to remain among the most closely watched global issues.
Mamdani Weighs Legal Options on Netanyahu ICC Warrant Ahead of UN Summit, Sparks Diplomatic Backlash
