New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani ignited a firestorm of backlash after declaring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "war criminal" during a recent interview and stating he "belongs in the Hague." Mamdani also indicated that his legal team was discussing the possibility of seeking Netanyahu's arrest if he visits New York City for the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting on September 8.
"I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague," Mamdani told The New York Times, referencing the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands. He further elaborated, "He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court. And what you will find is that is an opinion that is held by many purely because of what his actions have wrought over these last many years."
Mamdani, a democratic socialist, also affirmed his commitment to upholding local laws. "I’ve also said that I will follow the laws that we have here in New York City because I believe that there is an importance in following the law as a leader who presides over our city," he stated.
The remarks drew immediate condemnation from various political figures. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz dismissed Mamdani's statement as "pure political theater," emphasizing that federal authority supersedes any local mayor's wishes. Waltz cited several reasons why Mamdani would lack the authority to arrest the prime minister, including the U.S. not being a party to the Rome Statute, the UN Headquarters Agreement granting diplomatic protections, head-of-state immunity, and the primacy of federal authority.
House Republicans echoed Waltz's sentiments, urging Mamdani to focus on municipal issues. "Mamdani is threatening to arrest the head of one of our closest allies," a group of House Republicans stated. "He should stop politicizing local law enforcement and interfering with US foreign policy and instead focus on rising rent and housing prices and antisemitism in NYC."
Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams called Mamdani's statement "reckless," asserting that threatening to arrest the leader of a key U.S. ally during a significant international event is not "bold."
"This isn’t a college protest. This is the City of New York. Threatening to arrest the democratically elected leader of one of America’s closest allies during UN General Assembly week isn’t bold. It’s reckless," Adams wrote on X. He added that he looks forward to welcoming the prime minister.
Brooklyn City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov also criticized Mamdani, advising him to prioritize New York's issues. "Mamdani should concern himself with the homeless epidemic, the affordability crisis and the floods on New York City’s roads rather than illegally meddling in foreign affairs to befriend more terrorists and attempt to arrest our friends," Vernikov told the New York Post.
Senator John Fetterman advised Mamdani to "sit down," suggesting the mayor has no authority to make such threats and should instead concentrate on New York's internal problems. "Well, [he’s] such a tough guy to say that kind of thing. He has no way to do that. Of course, obviously, America’s not even part of that corrupt court," Fetterman said in an interview with Fox News.
Netanyahu faces accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, leading to an arrest warrant issued by the ICC on November 21, 2024. Mamdani has a history of supporting Palestinian rights and previously skipped the annual Israel Day Parade in New York City, stating his opposition to the Israeli government's actions in Gaza. He was the first New York City mayor to miss the parade in over 60 years.