Can New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani Legally Arrest Benjamin Netanyahu?

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani strongly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling him a “war criminal” and the “architect of the horrific genocide of Palestinians” during a recent CNN interview. This statement preceded his meeting with US President Donald Trump and coincided with Netanyahu’s anticipated visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly meetings.

Addressing the possibility of an arrest, Mayor Zohran Mamdani highlighted his discussions with Mayor of The Hague Jan van Zanen regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued for Benjamin Netanyahu. Mayor Zohran Mamdani emphasized the importance of respecting the rule of law and accountability, stating that no one should be considered above the law if the ICC mandates an arrest.

Previously, during his electoral campaign, Mayor Zohran Mamdani had pledged to direct the New York Police Department to execute an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu upon his arrival. However, after consulting with the New York City Law Department and exploring various legal avenues, Mayor Zohran Mamdani admitted a lack of legal authority to enforce the ICC warrant.

Additionally, Mayor Zohran Mamdani decided to abstain from upcoming protests against Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid deepening divisions within the local Jewish community and to manage potential security concerns. During his discussions with US President Donald Trump, Mayor Zohran Mamdani also addressed media access, contrasting his own policy with US President Donald Trump’s decision to bar certain networks from the White House.