Mamdani: "Considering Legal Options to Arrest 'War Criminal' Netanyahu During September New York Visit"

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stated that he is exploring legal measures to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he visit New York in September to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
In an interview with The New York Times (NYT) released on July 18 (local time), Mayor Mamdani referred to Prime Minister Netanyahu as a "war criminal indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC)."
When asked about the specific legal authority for such an arrest, the mayor replied, "It is a matter we are actively discussing with our law department," adding, "I am not talking about my personal assessment of Prime Minister Netanyahu."
Mayor Mamdani added, "I am talking about the fact that the ICC has issued an arrest warrant, the gravity of those charges, and my duty as mayor to uphold the laws of New York City."
He emphasized, "I will do whatever is permitted under New York City law, but I will not create our own laws for that purpose."
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Netanyahu in November 2024 on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.
The UN General Assembly, held annually in September in New York, is attended by world leaders, and Prime Minister Netanyahu has visited New York multiple times to deliver speeches.
However, the United States is not a member of the ICC and does not recognize its jurisdiction.
The Donald Trump administration previously imposed sanctions on ICC officials involved in the issuance of the arrest warrant for Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Regarding this, Harold Koh, a professor at Yale Law School, explained to the NYT that while Prime Minister Netanyahu would have immunity as a head of state within the UN headquarters, he could become the subject of legal disputes regarding an arrest while moving through New York City.
Professor Koh pointed out, "The real question is whether Prime Minister Netanyahu is prepared to risk that kind of commotion," adding, "This applies equally to Mayor Mamdani."
He described the situation as a "game of chicken" between Mayor Mamdani on one side and President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu on the other.
Mayor Mamdani, who has characterized the actions of the Israeli military in Gaza as "genocide," had previously stated during his mayoral campaign last year that he would order the New York Police Department to arrest Prime Minister Netanyahu if elected.
In a recent radio interview in the New York area, Prime Minister Netanyahu dismissed Mayor Mamdani's threat of arrest, criticizing the mayor for supporting the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Separately, in the same NYT interview, Mayor Mamdani criticized the Trump administration's immigration policy while acknowledging the importance of border security.
He stated that he is willing to cooperate with the federal government if an immigrant is convicted of a serious crime.
However, he drew a line, stating that he would not participate in federal civil immigration enforcement activities that seek indiscriminate, mass deportations.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.