New York Mayor Meddani Threatens to Arrest Netanyahu at UN General Assembly

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has publicly stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu belongs in The Hague and that he is actively discussing plans to arrest him during his expected visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September. Mamdani, who made this declaration in an interview with The New York Times, described Netanyahu as a war criminal accused by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and accused him of committing genocide in Gaza.

Mamdani emphasized that while it is unclear whether he has the authority to order the New York Police Department to detain a foreign head of state, the matter is under discussion within the city's legal department. Prior to his election, Mamdani promised to arrest Netanyahu if he landed in New York, citing the ICC's international arrest warrant issued against the Israeli leader.

Legal experts in the United States have noted that such an arrest would be practically impossible and potentially illegal, as the U.S. does not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction. Mamdani also mentioned that he would take similar action against Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is also subject to an international arrest warrant. Mamdani's statements come amid heightened tensions surrounding Netanyahu's anticipated attendance at the UN General Assembly in September.