Will Mamdani arrest Netanyahu in New York?

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and the “architect of the horrific genocide of Palestinians” during an interview with the American network CNN.

This came ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump and just days before Netanyahu’s expected visit to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly meetings.

Can Mamdani arrest Netanyahu? The facts

The Mayor of New York, known for his strong critical stance on Israel, explained that he discussed the importance of respecting the rule of law with the Mayor of The Hague, Jan van Zanen, referencing the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for Netanyahu.

Mamdani clarified: “I believe this is something that should be respected, because we want to see confidence in our politics and confidence in applying the principle of accountability.”

He added: “If the ICC believes that a specific person deserves to be arrested for violating those laws, then who are we to say that someone should be above the law? I think it is very clear that everyone must be held accountable.”

About a week ago, in a move seen as a shift in his stance, Mamdani said he did not intend to participate in the upcoming protests against Netanyahu.

He stated: “If someone feels a level of frustration or opposition, protesting is something we will always respect.”

New York City officials estimated that Mamdani’s decision not to participate in the protests stems from his desire to avoid deepening divisions with the city’s Jewish community, alongside security complications that the Mayor’s participation in protests might impose.

During his electoral campaign, Mamdani had pledged to direct the New York Police Department to arrest Netanyahu if he arrived in the city, based on the arrest warrant issued for him by the International Criminal Court.

In an interview with The New York Times about two months ago, Mamdani said he still wished to arrest Netanyahu upon his arrival in New York to attend the UN General Assembly meetings in September, noting that he was engaging in an “active dialogue” with the New York City Law Department regarding the matter.

Mamdani Admits lack of authority to arrest Netanyahu

However, he later backed down from this pledge, pointing out that he does not possess the legal authority to execute an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.

In a video clip published two months ago, he said: “We investigated every possible avenue, and we do not have the authority to do so.”

At the beginning of his remarks at the time, Mamdani pointed out that Netanyahu was “responsible for the deaths of more than 73,000 people, as well as injuring and maiming tens of thousands of children, while survivors undergo limb amputations without anesthesia.”

Mamdani also accused Netanyahu of being “responsible for targeting neonatal hospitals and maternal care centers, denying newborn children even the mere chance of survival.”

In his statements following the meeting with the US President, Mamdani focused on Trump’s decision to bar the MS NOW, CNN, and Politico networks from entering the White House, saying he informed President Trump that he intends to allow all media outlets access to the Mayor’s official residence.

Trump responded by saying: “I don’t think fake news media should be granted the right to be in very special places like the White House, given all the lies they spread regarding the war in Iran.”

Trump added: “We are in an excellent position. In fact, I am here today to hold a few meetings on this matter.”

Trump is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, before returning to Washington, where he is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.