New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said his administration is examining whether the city has the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
Mamdani called Netanyahu a “war criminal” who “belongs in the Hague” and said his administration is holding discussions with the city’s Law Department over what authority New York City may have in such a situation.
The remarks have raised questions over the limits of a mayor’s power in international matters and whether a local government can take action against a visiting foreign leader.
Legal questions over mayor’s authority
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz criticized Mamdani’s comments, calling them “pure political theater.”
Waltz said the mayor has no legal authority to arrest Netanyahu, pointing to federal control over foreign policy, diplomatic protections for visiting leaders and immunity rules for heads of government.
The mayor’s office has not publicly released a legal argument explaining whether the NYPD or New York City officials could enforce an international arrest warrant against a foreign leader.
Mamdani’s comments are the latest example of his administration becoming involved in international affairs.
Earlier this year, the US State Department intervened to stop a planned meeting between a senior Mamdani administration official and Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations. Federal officials argued that foreign policy decisions are handled by the US government, not local authorities.
The incident highlighted tensions between Mamdani’s approach to global issues and Washington’s position that diplomacy remains a federal responsibility.
ICC warrant remains controversial
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Israel has rejected the accusations and disputes the ICC’s jurisdiction.
The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, and does not recognize the court’s authority in many cases involving foreign officials.
The issue has gained attention as world leaders prepare to attend the annual UN General Assembly in New York, creating complex diplomatic and security challenges for city and federal authorities.
Mamdani’s comments are likely to increase scrutiny of his foreign policy positions, particularly regarding Israel.
During his mayoral campaign, his views on Israel and the Gaza war became a major political issue.
Israeli officials have continued to reject allegations against Netanyahu, arguing that Israel’s military operations are a response to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and are carried out in self-defense.
