'Netanyahu belongs in The Hague': NYC mayor Mamdani mulls whether he can order Israeli PM's arrest
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is consulting with the city's Law Department to determine if he has the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his expected visit for the UN General Assembly. The move follows Mamdani's public labeling of Netanyahu as a war criminal, a stance that has drawn sharp condemnation from Israeli officials.
Why it matters
This situation highlights a significant diplomatic and legal tension between local municipal authority and international law, potentially setting a precedent for how cities interact with foreign leaders subject to ICC warrants.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani holds a press conference at the New York City Office of Emergency Management, as a major winter storm spreads across a large swath of the United States, in Brooklyn, New York City, US on Jan 25, 2026. — Reuters Listen to article 1x 1.2x 1.5x comments Join our Whatsapp Channel Add Dawn as a trusted source New York City (NYC) Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he was in an “active conversation” with the city’s Law Department over whether he had the legal authority to order Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrest if he visits the city.
Netanyahu is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over allegations of crimes against humanity and war crimes — including starvation as a method of warfare — in Israel’s onslaught on Gaza.
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