NYC Mayor Explores Arresting Netanyahu at UN; Israel Rejects Remarks

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced he is investigating the legal possibility of arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the upcoming UN General Assembly in September. Mamdani stated in an interview with The New York Times that, in his view, "Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague," referencing the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague.

Mamdani acknowledged uncertainty about his legal authority to detain a foreign leader but confirmed "active discussions" with New York authorities to clarify the matter. "Whatever the law allows me to do in New York is what we will do," he asserted. This follows previous statements where Mamdani suggested he might ask the city police to enforce ICC arrest warrants against leaders like Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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Whatever the law allows me to do in New York is what we will do.

The mayor's comments immediately drew a sharp rebuke from Israel's UN Ambassador, Danny Danon. Danon accused Mamdani of attempting "to fuel hostility and attract attention through attacks on the State of Israel." He affirmed that such statements would not deter Netanyahu, stating, "Benjamin Netanyahu will come to New York, speak with pride before the UN General Assembly, and reaffirm to the world the truth about Israel and its unwavering right to defend its citizens."

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to fuel hostility and attract attention through attacks on the State of Israel.

Prime Minister Netanyahu also responded, accusing Mamdani of supporting Hamas and suggesting the mayor "hates the United States." Mamdani, a progressive Democrat, has been a vocal critic of Israeli policy, labeling the country an "apartheid regime" and describing the Gaza offensive as "genocide," while also condemning antisemitism.

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Benjamin Netanyahu will come to New York, speak with pride before the UN General Assembly, and reaffirm to the world the truth about Israel and its unwavering right to defend its citizens.