New York City Mayor Zahraan Mamdani has signaled he is reviewing with the city's legal advisors whether his administration possesses the legal authority to take action against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, should he visit New York to participate in the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meetings scheduled for this September.

In an interview with The New York Times, Mamdani asserted that Netanyahu "should be in The Hague," a reference to the seat of the International Criminal Court, which issued an arrest warrant for him in November 2024 over charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the war in the Gaza Strip.

Mamdani stated that his position is rooted in the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, adding that "many share this view in light of the consequences of Netanyahu's policies and actions over the past years."

The Mayor of New York clarified that he remains uncertain whether he has the legal authority to order the New York Police Department to detain a foreign leader with diplomatic status, but disclosed that there are "active discussions" with the city's legal department to examine all available options.

He added, "We will abide by what the law permits in New York City, and we will not draft new laws for this purpose."

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and several other Israeli officials, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the use of starvation as a weapon of war, murder, persecution, and acts the court deemed inhumane against civilians in the Gaza Strip.

During his mayoral campaign, Mamdani described Israel's military operations in Gaza as a "genocide" and labeled Netanyahu a "war criminal," asserting at the time that he would direct city police to arrest him if he visited New York.

Conversely, he condemned the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, describing it as a "horrific war crime."

However, legal experts cited by The New York Times suggest that such a move would be "practically impossible" and could put the Mayor in direct conflict with the U.S. federal government.

The United States does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, as it is not a member. Furthermore, in February 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed economic sanctions on the court, maintaining that it lacks jurisdiction over the United States or Israel.

In the same vein, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed to work toward "dismantling" the court, accusing it of waging "legal warfare" against the United States by employing what he described as "so-called international law."

For his part, Netanyahu downplayed Mamdani's remarks, asserting in a radio interview that he feels no concern over these threats and accusing the Mayor of supporting Hamas—an accusation Mamdani has repeatedly denied.

Netanyahu stated that Mamdani "stands with those he described as terrorists," adding that those who are hostile to Israel and the Jewish people "are also hostile to the United States."

In turn, Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, accused Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor of New York City, of failing to address the rise of antisemitism within the city, while Mamdani responded by emphasizing that he has increased funding for the Hate Crimes Task Force.

Danon affirmed that Netanyahu will attend the UN General Assembly meetings in New York and will address the international community to defend Israel's position and its right to protect its citizens.

Additionally, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, described Mamdani's remarks as "merely political theater," emphasizing that the United States is not a member of the International Criminal Court.

New York is expected to host world leaders in September for the annual session of the UN General Assembly, an event Netanyahu has frequently attended in past years.

In the interview, Mamdani emphasized that the issue is not about a personal stance toward Netanyahu, but rather about an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, asserting that, as Mayor of New York, he will adhere to the city's standing laws.

Mamdani's statements come at a time when the U.S. Democratic Party is experiencing a gradual shift in its stance toward the war in Gaza.

Nearly half of the party's members in the House of Representatives recently voted for a bill aimed at halting $3.3 billion in military aid to Israel. Although the bill failed to secure the necessary majority, it reflected a decline in unconditional support for Israel within the party, a shift also indicated by U.S. opinion polls.

Concluding his remarks, Mamdani deemed U.S. policy toward Gaza and Palestine to have "failed in an unprecedented manner," noting that the continuation of the war has become a key issue influencing the leanings of American voters.