UNGA Tension: New York Mayor Weighs Netanyahu Arrest

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has disclosed that his administration is reviewing whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be arrested if he visits New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) scheduled for September.

Speaking on The New York Times podcast, The Interview, Mamdani cited the outstanding arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying he believes Netanyahu belongs in The Hague and describing him as a war crimes suspect.
Responding to questions about whether New York City has the authority to arrest a visiting foreign leader, the mayor said the matter is being examined by the city’s legal department. He noted that the review aligns with a campaign promise he made during the mayoral election, adding that while some national authorities may choose to operate outside legal boundaries, his administration has no intention of doing so.
The comments have revived discussions over the enforcement of ICC arrest warrants in countries that are not signatories to the Rome Statute. The ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Israel has rejected the allegations, insisting its military actions comply with international law, while Netanyahu has dismissed the warrants as politically motivated.
The United States is not a member of the ICC and has no treaty obligation to enforce its warrants. President Donald Trump’s administration has maintained a strong opposition to the court, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently pledging to “dismantle” the ICC over what he described as its abuse of international law against American allies. Former President Joe Biden had also criticised the court’s decision to seek warrants against Israeli leaders.
Mamdani, a long-time critic of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, has repeatedly described the campaign as a genocide, an allegation Israel strongly denies, saying it is exercising its right to self-defence against Hamas. His latest remarks drew criticism from senior US officials, with US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz dismissing them as “pure political theatre” and reiterating that the United States does not recognise the ICC’s jurisdiction.
Netanyahu also brushed aside the mayor’s comments during an interview with WABC radio host Sid Rosenberg, indicating they would not alter his travel plans. Meanwhile, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, insisted the prime minister would attend the UN General Assembly as scheduled, saying Netanyahu would proudly present Israel’s position and defend the country’s right to protect its citizens.
The controversy comes ahead of the annual UN General Assembly in New York, where dozens of world leaders are expected to gather. Although host countries are generally required under the UN Headquarters Agreement to facilitate the attendance of foreign leaders, legal experts say any attempt to enforce ICC warrants in the United States remains largely theoretical because Washington does not recognise the court’s jurisdiction. Mamdani’s comments are therefore expected to fuel further debate over international justice, diplomatic immunity and US domestic law.