New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced his office is reviewing whether it is legally feasible to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his upcoming visit for the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Scheduled for September 8 at the UN Headquarters, the summit is expected to draw world leaders including Netanyahu.
Mamdani stated to The New York Times that he considers the Israeli leader a war criminal following the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in November 2024 for alleged crimes in Gaza. The Mayor noted he is consulting with legal advisors and the New York Police Department to determine the extent of his authority in this matter.
Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon criticized the Mayor, claiming Mamdani is ignoring local issues such as antisemitism to provoke conflict. Danon affirmed that Netanyahu will attend the summit to defend Israel, adding that it is Mamdani who should be detained. Meanwhile, the Israeli government and the United States continue to challenge the jurisdiction and legitimacy of the International Criminal Court.
