New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani announced on Saturday that a city lawyer is exploring the possibility of arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to Manhattan for the United Nations General Assembly in September. Critics point out that this might be an overreach, suggesting the mayor is interfering in U.S. foreign policy.
“We’ll act within the law, but I don’t think we’ll craft new legislation for this,” Mamdani stated in an interview, also reiterating his support for the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Netanyahu.
Mamdani mentioned that discussions are taking place within the city’s legal department concerning this issue. He expressed a strong belief in the warrant, stating, “Many see Netanyahu as a war criminal based on his recent actions.”
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Walz pushed back, calling the move “pure political theater.” He remarked that there are significant legal obstacles, including the U.S. not being a signatory to the Rome Statute that established the ICC. There are also diplomatic protections for those visiting the UN, along with immunity for foreign leaders.
House Republicans advised Mamdani to focus on local issues rather than dragging police into international matters. They stated, “His threat to arrest a leader of an ally is inappropriate.”
Mamdani’s predecessor, former Mayor Eric Adams, argued that such actions could negatively impact U.S. citizens serving abroad and emphasized a need to welcome Netanyahu.
In response to the looming controversy, some officials criticized Mamdani’s approach. “Threatening to arrest an elected leader during UN General Assembly week is irresponsible,” Adams said, while Republican Councilmember Vicki Palladino described the situation as potentially insurrectionary, stating that U.S. law does not permit enforcement of ICC orders.
In November 2024, arrest warrants were issued by the ICC against Netanyahu and former Minister Yoav Galant for alleged war crimes related to military actions in Gaza, which Israel has disputed. The U.S. government, not being part of the ICC, has laws prohibiting cooperation with the court.
The mayor’s office has yet to respond to inquiries regarding these statements.
