New York Mayor Considers Arresting Netanyahu During UN Summit

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is exploring the possibility of ordering the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he attends the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September. Mamdani, a left-leaning politician who has previously labeled Israel an "apartheid regime," stated in an interview with The New York Times that he believes Netanyahu should be in The Hague, Netherlands, facing charges as a "war criminal" by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Mamdani admitted he is unsure if he possesses the authority to direct the New York Police Department (NYPD) to detain a foreign leader. However, this matter is currently under discussion with the city's legal team. "Whatever is legally permissible for me to do in New York, that is what we will do," he asserted. The UNGA, which convenes world leaders, is scheduled to take place at the UN headquarters in New York in September.

This is not the first time Mamdani has expressed such sentiments. He previously vowed to direct the NYPD to execute arrest warrants issued by the ICC against any wanted leaders, including Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The ICC, based in The Hague, determined in 2024 that there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu bears responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel's military actions in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.

Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, swiftly condemned Mamdani's statements. "Instead of focusing on his responsibilities as mayor and addressing the rise of anti-Semitic sentiment in his city, he chooses to incite hostility and seek attention by attacking Israel," Danon stated via X. He emphasized that Netanyahu would still attend and address the UN General Assembly, defending Israel's right to protect its citizens. Netanyahu himself has accused Mamdani of supporting Hamas and, in a New York radio interview, alleged that Mamdani secretly harbors anti-American sentiments.