New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says his administration is examining whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be arrested if he visits the city for the United Nations General Assembly in September, a move that has sparked strong criticism from Israeli officials.
Speaking in an interview, Mamdani said there is "an active conversation" within his administration about the legal options available if Netanyahu enters New York.
He added, "Netanyahu belongs in The Hague," referring to the International Criminal Court, which issued an arrest warrant for the Israeli leader in 2024 over alleged war crimes linked to the Gaza conflict.
Israel rejects the allegations and does not recognise the court's jurisdiction.
Mamdani said his administration is reviewing "whether there is the ability to do so" under existing laws and stressed that he would not attempt to rewrite the law simply to target Netanyahu.
Israel quickly rejected the remarks.
Prime Minister Netanyahu dismissed the proposal, saying Mamdani "supports Hamas" and is "anti-American," adding that he still intends to travel to New York for the annual U.N. gathering.
Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, also criticised the mayor, saying, "Instead of fighting crime and antisemitism in his city, Mamdani is busy chasing headlines at Israel's expense."
Danon said Netanyahu would address the General Assembly as planned.
The comments have renewed debate over the legal authority of U.S. cities to enforce international arrest warrants.
The United States is not a member of the International Criminal Court, and legal experts say questions remain over whether a city mayor has the power to order the arrest of a visiting foreign head of government.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz called Mamdani's proposal "pure political theater," saying Netanyahu enjoys diplomatic immunity under U.S. law and the U.N. Headquarters Agreement.
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