Could Netanyahu Be Arrested In New York? Mayor Mamdani Says…

Published 18 July 2026 · world

Could Netanyahu Be Arrested In New York? Mayor Mamdani Says… Published By, Last Updated: July 18, 2026, 17:13 IST In his mayoral campaign, Mamdani had

Could Netanyahu Be Arrested In New York? Mayor Mamdani Says… Published By, Last Updated: July 18, 2026, 17:13 IST In his mayoral campaign, Mamdani had taken the firm stand of arresting Netanyahu, as per ICC ruling, if the Israeli PM set foot in New York. Now, his opinion seems to have shifted Rapid Read New York Mayor Mamdani has been mulling over whether he can arrest Netanyahu or not when the latter sets foot in his city for the UNGA session. (Image source: Reuters) New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said his administration is still considering whether it could arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he travels to the city for the United Nations General Assembly in September. The mayor said the issue remains unresolved, with legal limits shaping any potential decision. Mamdani noted that he is in “active conversation" with the city’s Law Department to determine whether he has the authority to direct the New York Police Department to detain a visiting foreign leader.

He stressed that any action would strictly follow existing law. “Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we will do," he said, before adding that his administration would not attempt to stretch or reinterpret legal boundaries. The remarks were made while in conversation with Lulu Garcia Navarro for his show The Interview, which is produced by The New York Times, where Mamdani acknowledged both the political and legal sensitivity of the issue, particularly given the diplomatic implications of detaining a sitting head of government. ICC Charges and Political Pushback Mamdani said he believes Netanyahu “belongs in The Hague," referencing the International Criminal Court, which has framed charges on Israel related to its conduct in its war against the Hamas in Gaza. He described the Israeli leader as a “war criminal," arguing that this view is shared by many because of the outcomes of Israeli military actions over recent years. During his mayoral campaign, Mamdani had taken a firmer position, saying he would order Netanyahu’s arrest in accordance with an ICC warrant.

Now in office, however, he has adopted a more cautious stance, emphasizing that any such move must be grounded in clear legal authority. In the past, Netanyahu has dismissed the possibility of arrest, saying he was not concerned before sharply criticizing Mamdani. He accused the mayor of supporting Hamas and defended Israel as a democracy aligned with American values. Mamdani has condemned Hamas’s October 7 attack while continuing to criticize Israel’s conduct in Gaza, a position that has become central to his political identity. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered What legal precedents exist for arresting foreign leaders? New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is considering whether his administration has the authority to direct the NYPD to detain a visiting foreign leader, specifically Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during his September UN General Assembly visit. Could this incident impact US-Israel diplomatic relations? New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated that his administration is considering whether to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his September visit for the United Nations General Assembly.