Summary:
- New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated he is ready to take legal action against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York to attend the UN General Assembly.
- Mamdani said he is consulting with the city's legal team regarding the possible execution of the ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu, who is allegedly involved in war crimes in Gaza.
BANGKAPOS.COM--International political tensions have escalated again after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared his readiness to take legal action against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he attends the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in September 2026.
The statement has drawn widespread attention because Netanyahu remains the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) related to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.
In an interview with The New York Times published on Saturday (July 18, 2026), Mamdani revealed that his office is consulting with the New York City legal department to review the legal authority they have if Netanyahu actually comes to the city.
"I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague," Mamdani said.
"He is a war criminal who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court."
"And what you will find is that this is an opinion held by many people, solely because of what his actions have caused over the last several years," he emphasized.
Therefore, Mamdani said he is "actively discussing" with the city's legal department whether he has the authority to arrest Netanyahu should he come to New York.
"Whatever the law allows in New York City, that's what we will do. But we will not make our own rules for that purpose," Mamdani said.
Says Netanyahu Deserves to Be Tried in The Hague
Mamdani, known as a democratic socialist politician and vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, reiterated his view that Netanyahu must be held accountable for his actions before international law.
"I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague. He is a war criminal who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court," Mamdani said.
He said that this view is also held by many who highlight the impact of Israel's military operations in Gaza over the past several years.
This stance is not new. During his campaign for New York Mayor, Mamdani had promised to try to arrest Netanyahu if the Israeli leader visited New York.
Netanyahu Responds to Criticism
Mamdani's statement immediately drew a response from Netanyahu.
