New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said his administration is still examining whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be arrested if he visits the city in September for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Speaking during an interview with The New York Times, Mamdani said he believes Netanyahu "belongs in The Hague," referring to the seat of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued an arrest warrant against the Israeli leader.
Mamdani described Netanyahu as a war crimes suspect, stating that the ICC's charges reflected concerns shared by many over the humanitarian consequences of Israel's military campaign in Gaza.
At the same time, the mayor acknowledged that it remains unclear whether he has the legal authority to direct the New York Police Department (NYPD) to arrest a visiting foreign head of government.
He said his administration would act in accordance with New York City's legal framework, emphasising that public officials must follow the law rather than attempt to reshape it to achieve a particular outcome.
According to Mamdani, the city's Law Department is currently examining the legal issues surrounding the matter, and discussions with legal experts remain ongoing.
During the interview, the host noted that foreign representatives attending the United Nations General Assembly generally benefit from diplomatic protections while in New York. Responding to this, Mamdani said his administration was carefully considering all applicable legal obligations, including those arising from the city's role as host to the United Nations.
He added that the issue was not based on his personal opinion of Netanyahu but on the existence of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, stressing that any action taken by the city would ultimately depend on what the law permits.
Mamdani's Earlier Position on Netanyahu
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other Israeli officials in 2024 in connection with allegations arising from the Gaza conflict. Mamdani has been among the most outspoken critics of the Israeli government's military operations, repeatedly describing the campaign in Gaza as a genocide.
During his mayoral campaign, he stated that he would direct the NYPD to arrest Netanyahu should the Israeli prime minister visit New York.
However, the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the ICC, and is therefore not legally obligated under that treaty to execute ICC arrest warrants.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has also intensified its criticism of the ICC. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pledged to continue efforts to weaken the court, arguing that it improperly seeks to exercise jurisdiction over the United States and its allies through international law.
