Mamdani says he's still weighing whether to arrest Netanyahu if Israeli PM visits New York

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he is yet to decide whether he would seek the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if the latter visits New York, indicating that he is still weighing the legal implications of such a move.

Speaking to The New York Times, Mamdani said he had not yet reached a final decision on the issue despite previously stating during his mayoral campaign that he would enforce the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against Netanyahu.

"I haven't made that decision yet," Mamdani said when asked whether he would seek Netanyahu's arrest if the Israeli leader travels to New York. He added that he is consulting legal experts before deciding how his administration would respond to such a scenario.

The remarks mark a softer tone than his campaign pledge, when he vowed to uphold the ICC warrant should Netanyahu enter the city.

More from World

Legal questions remain unresolved

Mamdani's comments have renewed debate over whether a New York City mayor has any authority to act on an ICC warrant against a foreign head of government.

The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the Gaza conflict. Israel has rejected the allegations, calling the court's decision politically motivated.

Legal experts have pointed out that the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. As a result, enforcing an ICC arrest warrant would not fall within the jurisdiction of a municipal government and would instead involve federal authorities and questions of diplomatic immunity.

According to The New York Times, Mamdani acknowledged these legal complexities and said he wanted to ensure that any decision taken by his administration would be grounded in the law.

Issue likely to shadow any future visit

The controversy has gained attention amid speculation that Netanyahu could travel to New York later this year, including for the annual United Nations General Assembly.

Mamdani, who has been an outspoken critic of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, has repeatedly argued that international law should be applied consistently. At the same time, he has said his administration would ensure the safety of all New Yorkers regardless of political differences.

Netanyahu has previously dismissed suggestions that he could face arrest in New York, maintaining that he would not be deterred from travelling to the city.

While Mamdani has stopped short of confirming whether he would seek to enforce the ICC warrant, his latest remarks ensure that any future visit by the Israeli prime minister is likely to revive questions over the reach of international law, the limits of local authority and the broader political divide surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict.