Zoran Mamdani arrests Benjamin Netanyahu? New York City mayor reveals ‘positive conversations’ with law officials
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said his administration was still discussing whether there were legal ways to act if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the city in September to attend the United Nations General Assembly. Mamdani told The New York Times that the city’s legal department is reviewing the issue.
While he reiterated his belief that Netanyahu should face the International Criminal Court (ICC), he also made clear that his office would only act within the bounds of the law. Netanyahu dismissed the remarks and vehemently rebutted them.
Zoran Mamdani on Netanyahu’s arrest
in his interview new york times“I believe Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague,” Mamdani said, adding that “he is a war criminal and has been indicted by the International Criminal Court.”
Mamdani continued, “You will find that many people hold this view purely because of the impact of his actions over the years.”
The mayor said his office is in “active conversations” with the New York City Law Department to understand what powers, if any, Netanyahu would have if he traveled to Manhattan in September to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
Mamdani admitted he was unsure whether he could direct the New York Police Department to arrest the Israeli leader. However, he said his government would comply with whatever the law allowed. “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.
this USA It does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, although the court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024 for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Israel denies the accusations.
Benjamin Netanyahu responds to Zoran Mamdani’s comments
Netanyahu rejected Mamdani’s position in an interview with Sid Rosenberg on 77 WABC this week. “I think he should look at who he is condemning and who he is praising. He is condemning Israel, a democracy that stands side by side with American values,” Netanyahu said.
He continued, “Who is he supporting? Hamas, who openly called for the murder of every Jew on earth, who carried out that horrific massacre [on Oct. 7, 2023]It was the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. “
The Israeli prime minister also said that “he doesn’t care” that “those who hate Jews and Israel end up hating America.” He added, “In fact, I privately believe that he hates America.”
Also read: Mamdani’s wife ditches U.S. 250 race to attend Islamic health retreat in Spain, sparking backlash
Netanyahu is expected to travel to Washington for meetings later this month after his earlier trip to the United States was postponed Senator Lindsey GrahamThe funeral has been rescheduled. The visit will be his first to Washington since the conflict with Iran began in February.
