‘Pure political show’: US envoy rejects Zoran Mamdani’s threat to arrest Netanyahu during New York visit
New York City Mayor Mamdani talks about Israeli Prime Minister’s arrest during New York visit
mayor of new york city Zoran MamdaniSuggested his government is looking into whether action can be taken against Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu The remarks during the U.N. General Assembly prompted a strong response from the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltzhe believed the idea was legally untenable.“Mayor Mamdani. This is why your threat to arrest Prime Minister Netanyahu in New York City during the UN General Assembly will not happen,” Walz wrote on X on Saturday, calling the proposal “pure political theater.”He believes that U.S. law and international agreements leave no room for such a move.“The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The United Nations Headquarters Agreement provides diplomatic protection to visiting heads of government. Head-of-state immunity applies, and federal power overrides the wishes of any local mayor. “The United Nations General Assembly is scheduled to be held in New York in early September, and Netanyahu is expected to attend.
Waltz invokes diplomatic immunity
Walz said the New York City mayor has no legal authority to order the arrest of visiting foreign heads of government who are protected by diplomatic immunity.His comments came days after Mamdani told him new york times His government is consulting the city’s legal department to determine whether there is any legal authority to detain Netanyahu if he visits New York.Mamdani acknowledged, however, that any action must be within the ambit of existing laws.“Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, we will do it, but we are not going to make our own laws about it,” he said.The mayor reiterated his criticism of the Israeli leader, saying: “I believe Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague. He is a war criminal indicted by the International Criminal Court.”
Israel launches attack on Mamdani
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, also criticized Mamdani, saying the mayor should focus on governing New York rather than making foreign policy statements.“If anyone should be arrested, it’s New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani,” Danon said.He accused the mayor of ignoring domestic issues while targeting Israel. “Mamdani has failed to govern New York. Instead of focusing on his duties as mayor and confronting the rising tide of anti-Semitism in the city, he has chosen to stoke hostility and generate headlines by attacking the State of Israel.”Danon also insisted that Netanyahu’s visit would go ahead as scheduled.“This will not change anything. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will come to New York, proudly address the United Nations General Assembly and stand before the world stating the truth about Israel and its unwavering right to defend its citizens.”The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yove Galante, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity during Israel’s military operation in Gaza.Netanyahu’s government called the ICC accusations “ridiculous and false” and insisted that Israel’s military action complied with international law and was in self-defence.
