New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stirred controversy after saying he is considering whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be arrested if he attends the United Nations General Assembly in September.
In an interview published on July 18, Mamdani said he believes Netanyahu “belongs in The Hague,” referring to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has accused the Israeli leader of possible war crimes linked to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
Mamdani acknowledged that his authority as mayor may not extend to ordering such an arrest. Still, he said his office is consulting legal experts to understand what actions, if any, are possible, according to Hurriyet Daily News. “Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we will do,” he said.
The mayor, known for his strong criticism of Israel, has previously described the country as an “apartheid regime” and has expressed support for enforcing ICC arrest warrants, including those targeting Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The remarks quickly drew a sharp response from Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon. He accused Mamdani of fueling hostility and neglecting issues at home, particularly rising antisemitism in New York. Danon insisted Netanyahu would attend the UN gathering as planned and “stand before the world” to defend Israel’s actions.
Netanyahu himself has also criticized Mamdani, accusing him in a recent interview of harboring anti-American views and sympathizing with Hamas—claims Mamdani has not directly addressed in this context.
The episode highlights growing tensions between local political voices in the United States and international diplomatic norms, especially as global leaders prepare to gather in New York this September.
