New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is currently investigating whether he possesses the legal authority to order the detention of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his upcoming visit to the United Nations General Assembly. Mamdani stated in a recent interview that he considers the Prime Minister to be a war criminal under the purview of the International Criminal Court, noting he is consulting with city attorneys to determine the feasibility of an arrest.
Mamdani has previously stated his intention to utilize the New York Police Department to enforce international warrants for figures like Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu. The ICC recently indicated it has evidence suggesting Netanyahu may be involved in war crimes linked to the conflict in Gaza.
The announcement drew immediate criticism from Israel’s UN Ambassador, Danny Danon. Danon accused the mayor of grandstanding to gain publicity rather than addressing local issues like antisemitism, and asserted that Netanyahu will attend the UN summit as planned. Netanyahu himself responded to the threats, questioning the mayor’s own allegiances and labeling him a supporter of Hamas.
