Mamdani says New York City is exploring arrest of Netanyahu at UNGA
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Far-left New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani stepped up one of his harshest criticisms yet of the foreign leader, saying his administration is actively investigating whether the city has the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York for this month’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
In statements first reported by New York TimesMamdani called Netanyahu a “war criminal” who “belongs to the Hague” and said his administration was in “active discussion” with the city’s Law Department about what legal authority New York City would have if the Israeli prime minister traveled to the Big Apple.
The comments by Mamdani, a self-described Democratic socialist, raise questions about the limits of a mayor’s authority over foreign affairs and whether New York City can take legal action against a visiting head of government.
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Mamdani said his administration is investigating whether the city has the legal authority to detain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a possible visit to the UN General Assembly. (Anna Connors/Pool/Getty Images)
Fox News Digital reached out to the mayor’s office to ask whether Mamdani supported Netanyahu by calling him a “war criminal,” whether City Hall is actively consulting with the Legal Department about possible legal action against the Israeli leader, and whether the mayor would order the NYPD to arrest Netanyahu if lawyers determine that the city has the legal authority to do so.
The mayor’s office did not immediately respond.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz criticized Mamdani’s remarks as “pure political theatre”, saying the mayor had no legal authority to arrest Netanyahu.
One Publish on XWaltz argued that the United States was not a party to the ICC’s founding treaty, that the UN Headquarters Treaty protects visiting heads of government, that head of state immunity applies, and that “federal authority trumps the wishes of any local mayor.”
International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant A lawsuit was filed against Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel’s military operation in Gaza.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said his administration is investigating whether the city has legal authority to arrest Netanyahu if he visits the U.N. General Assembly. (Ronen Zvulun/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
Israel denies the allegations and disputes the court’s jurisdiction; The USA is not a party to the Rome Statute, which established the ICC.
The issue is becoming increasingly controversial as world leaders weigh whether to act on Netanyahu’s arrest warrant if he enters their countries.
The United Nations General Assembly brings dozens of heads of state and government to New York each year, creating unique diplomatic and security considerations for the city.
The comments are likely to intensify scrutiny of Mamdani’s foreign policy positions, particularly on Israel, which became a flashpoint during his mayoral campaign.
Israeli officials have repeatedly rejected allegations that Netanyahu committed war crimes, arguing that Israel acted in self-defense following a terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks to inmates at Rikers Island as they watch the World Cup semifinal soccer match on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, in New York.
Mamdani’s office has yet to publicly detail any legal analysis supporting the idea that New York City or the NYPD could independently issue an international arrest warrant against a visiting foreign head of government, but Fox News Digital has requested more details.
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Mamdani’s remarks are the latest example of his administration’s risk of delving into international affairs.
Earlier this year, the State Department stepped in to stop a planned meeting between a senior Mamdani administration official and Iran’s ambassador to the UN, emphasizing the role of the federal government, not the local government, in conducting US foreign policy.
Fox News Digital’s Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
