Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s expected visit to New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September has sparked a political and legal debate in the United States. The discussion centres on whether the Israeli leader could face action over an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
While New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said his administration is reviewing the legal position, US President Donald Trump has firmly ruled out any possibility of Netanyahu being arrested while visiting the United States.
Trump addressed the issue on Monday through a post on Truth Social. “Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America.” Although Trump did not mention Mamdani by name, his statement came shortly after the mayor publicly discussed the legal questions surrounding Netanyahu’s possible visit. In the same post, Trump also praised Israel’s role during the recent conflict with Iran.
New York Mayor Seeks Legal Advice
During an appearance on The Interview podcast by The New York Times, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said his administration is consulting legal experts to understand what powers, if any, New York City has if Netanyahu visits. “I believe that PM Netanyahu belongs in The Hague.”
He continued, “He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court; and what you will find is that is an opinion that is held by many purely because of what his actions have wrought over these last many years.”
However, Mamdani acknowledged that the legal situation is complex and said any action would depend on the law rather than political views.
“I’ve also said that I will follow the laws that we have here in New York City, because I believe that there is an importance in following the law as a leader who presides over our city, and that’s something that I plan to do.”
The mayor added that his administration has no intention of changing or reinterpreting laws to achieve a particular outcome. Instead, city officials are working with legal experts to determine what New York law allows.
Diplomatic Status Also Under Review
Mamdani said his team is also examining the legal obligations linked to the United Nations. World leaders attending the UN General Assembly generally receive diplomatic protections during their visit.
He stressed that the issue is not based on personal opinions but on the ICC warrant. “But the other part of this is we’re not talking about a personal assessment of Benjamin Netanyahu; we’re talking about the International Criminal Court and the fact that they have a warrant out for this prime minister’s arrest. And I think it’s important to talk about the weight that that has as a charge, and also that as the mayor of New York City, I’ll be following the laws of New York City.”
Why the ICC Warrant Matters
The controversy began after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024 over alleged war crimes connected to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Israel has strongly rejected the allegations, denied committing war crimes and argued that the ICC has no authority over the case.
The ICC, based in The Hague, prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. However, neither the United States nor Israel is a member of the court or a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. Because the US has not ratified the Rome Statute, it is not legally required to enforce ICC arrest warrants.
Israel Criticises Mayor’s Remarks
Israeli officials responded sharply to Mamdani’s comments. In a post on X, Israel described the ICC as a “kangaroo court” and called the arrest warrant against Netanyahu “bogus.”
The statement also accused the New York mayor of using the issue to divert attention from local matters. “Mamdani appears interested in diverting public attention from his follies and attacking the leader of the Jewish state and the only democracy in the Middle East,” the post said.
Issue Returns Ahead of UN General Assembly
Mamdani had previously pledged during his mayoral campaign that he would instruct the New York Police Department to arrest Netanyahu if the Israeli leader visited the city. Since taking office in January, however, he has said any decision would be based strictly on what the law permits.
The debate has gained renewed attention because Netanyahu has traditionally travelled to New York each September to address the United Nations General Assembly, where world leaders gather from across the globe.
First published on: Jul 21, 2026 06:58 AM IST
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