New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he is considering whether the city could arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he travels to New York this fall for the United Nations General Assembly.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday’s episode of The New York Times podcast “The Interview”, Mamdani said he believes Netanyahu should be dealt with through international courts, adding that the matter involves an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC warrant and a possible arrest
Mamdani said Netanyahu “belongs in The Hague” and described him as a war criminal, referring to charges brought by the ICC. He said the view reflects what he described as years of actions he said have caused harm in Palestine.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant in 2024 for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in relation to the war in Palestine. The warrant covers allegations including “starvation as a method of warfare” and “other inhumane acts”.
Asked about the prospect of arrest in New York, Mamdani said his administration is reviewing whether it could take such action under the city’s legal framework.
What Mamdani said in his campaign
Mamdani, a Democrat, said during his mayoral campaign last year that he would order the New York Police Department to arrest Netanyahu. At the time, he also characterised the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza as a genocide.
In Saturday’s interview, he reiterated that his position was tied to the existence of the ICC warrant and the weight he said it carries as a formal charge.
Netanyahu dismisses the threat
Netanyahu recently responded to the mayor’s remarks during a radio interview, accusing Mamdani of supporting Hamas. Mamdani denied the accusation.
The prime minister said Mamdani was aligned with groups he described as terror actors, and he argued that those who oppose Israel also ultimately oppose the United States.
UN trip expected in September
World leaders from member states are expected to travel to New York in September for the UN body’s annual session, when Netanyahu has taken part in past years.
Mamdani told The Times he would “follow the laws” of the city. When pressed on what that meant, he said the matter was under discussion with the city’s legal department.
“We’re not talking about a personal assessment of Benjamin Netanyahu,” Mamdani said. He said the focus was on the ICC warrant and on the responsibilities of the mayor under New York City law.
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19 July 2026
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