New York City Mayor, Zahran Mamdani, has revealed that his administration is exploring the legal implications of potentially arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he visit the city for the United Nations General Assembly meetings.
In an interview with the "New York Times," Mamdani asserted that "Netanyahu's place is in The Hague," referencing charges against him by the International Criminal Court. This sentiment, according to Mamdani, is shared by many who criticize Israeli policies over recent years.
The Mayor clarified that he remains uncertain about the legal authority to direct city police to detain a foreign leader. He mentioned ongoing consultations with the city's legal department to define the limits of legal powers.
Mamdani stated that his administration "will do what the law permits," while emphasizing that they will not exceed legal boundaries or establish new unforeseen procedures.
Mamdani, during his electoral campaign last year, pledged to support the enforcement of the ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu if he visited New York, a stance he reiterated in the recent interview, noting that the matter is still under legal review.
For his part, Netanyahu dismissed these remarks, saying in a radio interview that he is unconcerned about arrest threats, accusing Mamdani of supporting Hamas and consistently criticizing Israel.
The Israeli Prime Minister added that Israel is, in his words, "the only democracy aligning with American values," suggesting that his critics overlook the October 7 attacks, and launched personal criticisms against the New York Mayor.
Conversely, Mamdani has previously condemned the October 7 attacks but continues to harshly criticize the Israeli government's policies in Gaza, making him a prominent critic of Israel in the American political arena.