New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been one of the most vocal critics of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's military missions in Gaza.
Can New York arrest Netanyahu? Mayor Mamdani weighs legal options
He says officials are examining whether the law permits action on the ICC arrest warrant against the Israeli PM if he visits the UN General Assembly session in September
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said his administration is examining whether it has the legal authority to act on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the city for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Speaking on The Interview, a New York Times programme, the Democratic leader reiterated his belief that the hardline Israeli PM should face trial at The Hague, where the ICC is based. Referring to the court's arrest warrant, he said many people viewed Netanyahu as a war-crimes suspect because of the consequences of Israel's military operations in Gaza.
Legal authority under review
However, the mayor acknowledged that it remains unclear whether he can direct the New York Police Department (NYPD), which falls under his administration, to detain a visiting foreign head of government.
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"I've also said that I will follow the laws that we have here in New York City," Mamdani said, adding that his administration would act only within the limits of existing law rather than attempting to reinterpret or expand its powers.
He said city officials are consulting legal experts within the New York City Law Department to determine what authority, if any, the mayor's office possesses in such a situation.
UN immunity
The interview also touched on the diplomatic protections generally extended to foreign leaders attending the annual UN General Assembly. Responding to this, Mamdani said his administration was reviewing all applicable legal obligations, including those arising from New York City's role as host to the United Nations.
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At the same time, he stressed that the issue extends beyond his personal views of Netanyahu and centres on the fact that the ICC has issued a formal arrest warrant against the Israeli leader.
Mamdani has been one of the most outspoken critics of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which he has called "genocidal war". During his mayoral campaign last year, he pledged that he would direct the NYPD to arrest Netanyahu if the Israeli leader visited New York.
ICC warrants
The ICC issued arrest warrants in November 2024 against Netanyahu and other Israeli officials over alleged crimes linked to the Gaza conflict. However, the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, and is therefore not legally obligated to execute the court's arrest warrants.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has continued its opposition to the ICC. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently said Washington would continue efforts to "dismantle" the court, accusing it of targeting the United States and its allies through what he described as the misuse of international law.