Mamdani says he’s still looking into arresting Netanyahu if Israeli leader visits New York
Mamdani Says He’s Still Considering Arrest of Netanyahu for UN Visit
Mamdani says he s still looking – Mamdani says he s still evaluating whether to detain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if the leader travels to New York City during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session. The mayor, Zohran Mamdani, announced this week that his administration continues reviewing the legal possibilities of enforcing an arrest warrant against the Israeli leader. This potential action stems from a commitment Mamdani made throughout his mayoral campaign to hold international figures accountable under local jurisdiction. During a recent appearance on The New York Times’ “The Interview” podcast, Mamdani revealed that his legal team is actively debating the merits of such a move.
Legal Framework Under Consideration
“I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague,” Mamdani stated during the podcast conversation. “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.” When reporters asked about the legal mechanisms that could enable such an arrest, Mamdani explained that his office is maintaining an active dialogue with legal experts. “That’s an active conversation with our legal department,” he noted. “However, what we’ve seen at the national level is a desire sometimes to write your own laws, to go outside of the bounds of legality. That’s not something we have an interest in.” The International Criminal Court issued its arrest warrant targeting Netanyahu alongside other Israeli officials back in 2024. The warrant accused these leaders of committing war crimes during and following the Hamas attacks on Israel that began on October 7, 2023.
Political Reactions Across the Spectrum
Both President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden have publicly criticized the ICC’s warrant. The United States has never ratified the Rome Statute, the international treaty that requires member nations to detain individuals carrying ICC arrest warrants. The Trump administration has intensified its ongoing conflict with the ICC. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently pledged to “dismantle” the court, characterizing it as “waging a war against our country, not with bullets or missiles” but rather “with the force of so-called international law.” Mamdani has emerged as a vocal opponent of Israeli policies. He has consistently condemned Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, describing it as a “genocide.” Israeli officials have rejected these allegations.
“Mamdani says he s still looking into this matter carefully,” said one legal source familiar with the situation. “The mayor wants to ensure any action taken is grounded in proper legal precedent.”
Israeli Officials Respond to Mayor’s Position
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz characterized the mayor’s statements on Saturday as “pure political theater,” emphasizing that the United States does not participate in the ICC. Meanwhile, Netanyahu addressed concerns about Mamdani’s arrest proposals during an interview with WABC radio host Sid Rosenberg earlier in the week. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, expressed confidence on social media that 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.” The situation highlights the complex intersection of international law, domestic politics, and diplomatic protocol as New York prepares for what could be a historic visit by the Israeli prime minister.
As the September UN session approaches, all eyes remain on whether Mamdani will follow through on his stated intentions. The mayor has made it clear that while he is still reviewing all options, the possibility of an arrest remains on the table. This development could set a significant precedent for how cities with their own legal frameworks interact with international judicial bodies.