NYC Mayor Evaluates Legality of Arresting Benjamin Netanyahu

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is consulting with the city's Law Department to determine if he has the legal authority to order the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The potential action coincides with Netanyahu's expected visit to New York City for the United Nations General Assembly in September.

Mamdani cited a 2024 International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Netanyahu, which alleges war crimes and genocide in Gaza. Characterizing the prime minister as a "war criminal," Mamdani stated that Netanyahu "belongs in The Hague." While the mayor admitted uncertainty regarding his authority to order the New York City Police Department to detain a foreign leader, he asserted that his administration will do whatever the law allows without writing new laws for the purpose.

Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the threats and accused Mamdani of supporting Hamas, claiming the mayor "secretly... hates America." Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, also condemned the mayor for inciting hostility and neglecting the rise of antisemitism in New York City. Danon asserted that Netanyahu will still address the General Assembly with pride to state Israel's right to defend its citizens.