NY mayor Mamdani still mulling Netanyahu arrest during UN meet
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he's still weighing whether to arrest Netanyahu during his UN visit, calling him a war criminal
News Desk
The News Desk provides timely and factual coverage of national and international events, with an emphasis on accuracy and clarity.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Saturday he is still weighing whether to try to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his upcoming visit to the UN General Assembly in September.
Mamdani told the New York Times he believes Netanyahu belongs before the International Criminal Court over the war in Gaza. The comments drew a sharp rebuke from Netanyahu's camp.
Can Mamdani actually arrest Netanyahu?
Mamdani has not confirmed whether he holds the legal authority to order the NYPD to detain a foreign head of state. He said the matter is currently under discussion with New York City's legal team. Mamdani added that the city will act within whatever legal limits apply once that review is complete.
What did Mamdani say about Netanyahu?
Mamdani told the New York Times that Netanyahu "belongs in The Hague," describing him as a war criminal charged by the International Criminal Court.
He has previously called Israel an "apartheid regime." Mamdani said his view reflects a widely held opinion shaped by the consequences of Netanyahu's actions in recent years.
Why is the ICC involved with Netanyahu?
The Hague-based ICC ruled in 2024 that there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu bore responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity tied to Israel's military offensive in Gaza. That offensive followed the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas. The warrant has put Netanyahu's international travel under scrutiny ever since.
How has Israel responded to Mamdani's comments?
Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, accused Mamdani of ignoring his duties as mayor and stoking antisemitism in New York rather than addressing it. Danon said Netanyahu would still travel to New York, address the General Assembly, and defend Israel's right to self-defense. He argued that Mamdani, not Netanyahu, should be the one facing arrest.
Has Netanyahu commented on Mamdani directly?
Netanyahu has accused Mamdani of backing Hamas and suggested on a New York radio programme that the mayor holds hidden anti-American views. Neither leader has signalled any softening of their public stance. The dispute is expected to intensify as the UN General Assembly approaches in September.
Comments
See what people are discussing