Mamdani says he’s still looking into arresting Netanyahu if Israeli leader visits New York
Mamdani Says He’s Still Considering Arrest for Netanyahu at UN
Mamdani says he s still looking – Mamdani says he s still evaluating whether to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if the leader visits New York City this fall. The mayor’s office has confirmed that discussions are ongoing regarding the potential detention of the Israeli leader during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session in September. This development follows extensive legal review conducted by Mamdani’s administration, which has been examining the feasibility of executing an arrest warrant against Netanyahu. The possibility stems from commitments Mamdani made throughout his mayoral campaign, when he repeatedly emphasized his support for international justice mechanisms.
Legal Framework Under Consideration
During a recent appearance on The New York Times podcast “The Interview,” Mamdani disclosed that his legal team continues to thoroughly examine the possibility of arresting the Israeli prime minister. The mayor expressed confidence in New York’s ability to follow proper legal procedures, contrasting the city’s approach with national-level tendencies to circumvent established boundaries.
“I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague,” Mamdani stated. “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 pressed about the specific legal mechanisms that would enable such an arrest, Mamdani emphasized that his administration remains committed to working within existing frameworks.
“That’s an active conversation with our legal department. 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,” Mamdani explained.
International Context and ICC Warrant
The International Criminal Court issued its arrest warrant for Netanyahu alongside other Israeli officials in 2024. The charges stem from alleged war crimes committed during and following the Hamas attacks on Israel that began on October 7, 2023. This legal action has generated significant international attention, particularly given the United States’ complex relationship with the ICC. The United States has never ratified the Rome Statute, the international treaty that requires signatory nations to apprehend individuals bearing ICC arrest warrants.
Under the Trump administration, tensions with the ICC have intensified considerably. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently pledged to dismantle the court, characterizing it as conducting “a war against our country, not with bullets or missiles” but rather through “the force of so-called international law.” Despite this opposition, Mamdani has positioned himself as a vocal advocate for international legal accountability, consistently describing Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as a “genocide.” Israeli officials have firmly rejected these allegations.
Diplomatic Responses and Next Steps
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz responded to Mamdani’s remarks on Saturday, dismissing them as “pure political theater.” Waltz pointed out that the United States maintains no membership in the ICC, suggesting that municipal-level actions may have limited practical impact. Meanwhile, Netanyahu addressed concerns about potential arrest during an interview with WABC radio host Sid Rosenberg earlier in the week, expressing confidence that the matter would be resolved through diplomatic channels.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, shared his perspective on social media on Saturday, declaring 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 moment in municipal governance. Mamdani says he s still monitoring developments closely as the September UN session approaches.
