Mayor of New York City Zohran Kwame Mamdani acknowledged on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, that he lacks the authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the United Nations General Assembly in September — despite earlier statements suggesting he might.
‘A War Criminal — But Not Within My Jurisdiction’
Speaking to The New York Times in an interview published Saturday, July 18, Mamdani called Netanyahu “a war criminal” wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and said his place is “in The Hague.” He reiterated that an ICC arrest warrant is outstanding against the Israeli leader but clarified he does not know whether local law empowers him to detain a foreign head of government.
“Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal… But I cannot arrest him,” Mamdani stated. He added that city officials are consulting with legal authorities in New York to determine what actions — if any — fall within their jurisdiction. “We will do what the law allows me to do in New York City,” he said.
UN General Assembly in NYC
Each September, the UN General Assembly convenes at the organization’s headquarters in New York City — the largest annual gathering of world leaders. As host city, New York provides security and logistical support, but diplomatic immunity and international law severely limit local enforcement powers over visiting foreign dignitaries.
Israeli Government Responds
The Office of the Prime Minister of Israel strongly condemned Mamdani’s remarks. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on July 22, it accused the mayor of deflecting attention from domestic policy failures. “Mr. Mamdani would do better to focus on repairing the damage his policies are inflicting on New York City,” the statement read.
It also drew a parallel between Mamdani and ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, suggesting both were using inflammatory rhetoric to divert attention. “Like Karim Khan, Mamdani appears intent on shifting focus from his own reckless actions — launching attacks against the leader of the Jewish state, the only democracy in the Middle East.”