Why President Mamdani wants Prime Minister Netanyahu arrested if he visits New York
Mamdani called Netanyahu a “war criminal” and said a possible arrest was currently being discussed in New York City. Here’s what you need to know:
Zoran Mamdani said he was considering whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be arrested if he visited the city during his term in office. This is a promise the New York City mayor has made during his campaign and after his victory.
Mamdani called Netanyahu a “war criminal” and said the city’s legal department was considering legal options to arrest Netanyahu ahead of the Israeli leader’s possible appearance at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
“We are not talking about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s personal assessment,” Mamdani said in an interview with The New York Times last week.
“We’re talking about the International Criminal Court and the fact that they’re issuing an arrest warrant for this prime minister.”
The ICC warrant, issued in November 2024, charges Netanyahu with war crimes and crimes against humanity as a result of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which have sparked international outrage.
“He is a war criminal and is being prosecuted by the International Criminal Court,” Mamdani said on “The Interview.”
Mamdani has continued to criticize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s military actions in Gaza. But the United States does not recognize the court, and protections are in place for leaders who visit the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said late last year that Mamdani’s claims would not prevent the visit, and legal experts have questioned whether the mayor has the legal authority to execute the warrant. New York Governor Kathy Hochul previously said, “The mayor of New York does not have that authority.”
In a statement posted to X on Sunday, July 19, the Prime Minister’s Office said: “Mr Mamdani should focus on repairing the damage his policies have caused to New York.”
Mamdani said in a recent interview that he would follow the law regardless.
“Whatever the law allows us to do in New York City, that’s what we do. But we’re not going to create our own laws to do that,” Mamdani said.
“As leaders in governing our city, we believe it is important to follow the law, and we intend to do just that.”
