From Gaza To UN: Inside Zohran Mamdani And Benjamin Netanyahu's Bitter Feud
From Gaza To UN: Inside Zohran Mamdani And Benjamin Netanyahu's Bitter Feud Published By, Last Updated: July 19, 2026, 13:25 IST “I believe that Prime
From Gaza To UN: Inside Zohran Mamdani And Benjamin Netanyahu's Bitter Feud Published By, Last Updated: July 19, 2026, 13:25 IST “I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague,” Mamdani said, referring to the seat of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Rapid Read New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AFP/File) New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s latest remarks that his administration is examining whether it has the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a possible visit to New York have once again brought their long-running public feud into focus. In an interview with The New York Times, Mamdani said discussions were underway with the city’s Law Department over what legal powers, if any, he could exercise if Netanyahu attends the United Nations General Assembly in September. “I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague," Mamdani said, referring to the seat of the International Criminal Court (ICC). “He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court. And what you will find is that it is an opinion that is held by many, purely because of what his actions have wrought over these last many years." He acknowledged that it remained unclear whether a New York City mayor could direct the police to detain a visiting foreign leader. “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.
A Stand Mamdani Has Maintained The remarks are consistent with Mamdani’s position during his mayoral campaign last year, when he said he would direct the New York Police Department to arrest Netanyahu in accordance with the ICC arrest warrant issued against the Israeli leader over his role in the Gaza war. The United States, however, is not a member of the ICC and does not recognise the court’s jurisdiction. Legal experts have questioned whether a city mayor has any authority to enforce an ICC warrant against a sitting foreign head of government. Harold Hongju Koh, a professor of international law at Yale Law School, described the situation as “a game of chicken between the mayor on one side and Trump and Netanyahu on the other." According to Koh, Netanyahu would be protected by immunity while inside the UN headquarters, but could theoretically be “exposed" while travelling within New York City. “The real question is whether the prime minister is ready to face such a spectacle. The same question applies to the mayor," he said. Netanyahu Hits Back Netanyahu has repeatedly dismissed Mamdani’s threats and accused him of siding with Hamas. Responding during a recent radio interview, the Israeli prime minister said Mamdani was targeting Israel instead of condemning Hamas. “I think he should look at who he’s condemning, who he’s praising. He’s condemning Israel, the one democracy that stands shoulder to shoulder with American values." “Who does he champion?
The BriefWire