New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stated he is in active discussions with local law enforcement to determine if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be arrested if he attends the United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan this September. Mamdani expressed his belief that Netanyahu, for whom the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant in late 2024 for alleged war crimes, "belongs in The Hague."
Mamdani, speaking to The New York Times, clarified that any potential action would be strictly within the bounds of New York City law. "Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that's what we will do. But we won't be writing our own laws to that end," he said. He indicated that these legal avenues are currently being explored with the city's legal department. Mamdani emphasized that his stance is not a personal one but is based on the ICC's warrant.
The International Criminal Court, which has 125 member states, issued the warrant for Netanyahu's arrest for alleged war crimes. The United States is not a member of the ICC, nor are other major nations such as Russia, China, and India. Despite the ICC warrant and Mamdani's remarks, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations has stated that Prime Minister Netanyahu will attend the annual gathering in September, which draws world leaders.
Mamdani had previously voiced his intention to see Netanyahu arrested while campaigning for mayor. He stated that he and city officials are reviewing all legal obligations concerning such a visit. He also commented on a perceived national desire to "write your own laws" and operate outside legality, a practice he asserted his administration would not engage in.
Netanyahu attended the UN General Assembly in 2025, after the ICC had issued its warrant. He was not arrested at that time due to the U.S. not being a member of the ICC.