Mamdani says Netanyahu “belongs in The Hague” as legal review begins
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he is consulting the city’s legal advisers to find out whether local authorities have the legal power to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his expected visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September.
In an interview with The New York Times, Mamdani repeated his election campaign position that Netanyahu should face international justice. He referred to the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which accuses the Israeli prime minister of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Mamdani said, “I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague.” He added, “He’s a war criminal who the International Criminal Court has charged. And what you will find is that is an opinion that is held by many, purely because of what his actions have wrought over these last many years.”
The mayor said his administration is carefully reviewing the law before making any decision. He stressed that any action taken would remain within the limits of existing laws. “Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we will do, but we won’t be writing our own laws to that end,” he said.
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Meanwhile, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said Prime Minister Netanyahu still plans to attend the UN General Assembly despite the discussion about possible legal action.
Mamdani’s position on Israel was a major issue during his mayoral election campaign. He faced criticism and personal attacks from political opponents, including Islamophobic remarks that drew widespread attention before his election victory.
The legal review has also started a wider debate over whether a city government has the authority to act against a foreign leader. Leaders attending UN meetings in New York are generally protected by diplomatic immunity under US federal law and international agreements.
Mamdani’s election and his comments also highlight changing opinions within the Democratic Party on US policy toward Israel. Recent surveys show that many Democratic voters are becoming more critical of continued American military support for Israel.
A poll conducted in May found that nearly 75 percent of Democratic voters oppose US military aid to Israel, compared with 45 percent three years ago. Nearly half of those surveyed also believe the Democratic Party leadership remains too supportive of the Israeli government.
The changing political mood has also been seen in Congress. Earlier this week, nearly half of the Democratic members of the US House of Representatives voted in favour of a proposal to end US military aid to Israel, marking a significant shift from previous voting trends.
