Mamdani holds talks about the arrest of the Israeli Prime Minister during his visit to New York
New York City Mayor Zahran Mamdani said his administration is considering whether it has any legal authority to act if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the city for the United Nations General Assembly meetings in September.Speaking to the New York Times, Mamdani said discussions are ongoing with the city’s legal team to determine what powers, if any, the mayor’s office can exercise. “Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we’ll do, but we’re not going to write our own laws to that end,” he said, adding that he is in “active conversation” with the New York City Law Department about the issue.Mamdani also repeated his criticism of the Israeli leader, saying: “I think Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague.”
Referring to the International Criminal Court, he added: “He is a war criminal indicted by the International Criminal Court.”The mayor said his position reflects a broader international viewpoint. “And what you’ll find is that this is an opinion held by many, just because of what his actions have caused over the last several years,” he added.
International Criminal Court memorandum against Netanyahu
The International Criminal Court issued two arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, for allegedly committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.
According to the court, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the two leaders bear criminal responsibility for using starvation as a method of war by restricting the flow of basic humanitarian supplies, including food, water, fuel, medicine and electricity, into Gaza. The arrest warrants also accuse them of deliberately directing attacks against civilians and committing crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution and other inhumane acts linked to the humanitarian crisis.The court’s findings are based on evidence collected up to May 2024.
Israel rejects these accusations
Netanyahu and Gallant strongly denied these accusations. Netanyahu’s office described the ICC’s allegations as “ridiculous and false,” stressing that Israeli military operations are legitimate and necessary. Gallant also rejected the ruling, calling it a dangerous precedent against any country’s right to self-defense.Netanyahu is expected to travel to New York later this year to attend the annual United Nations General Assembly, where world leaders gather for high-level meetings.
