New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed he is actively working with city lawyers to find legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his expected September visit for the UN General Assembly, despite unclear jurisdiction and federal opposition.

Mayor Seeks Arrest Authority

Mamdani told reporters Saturday he remains in active discussions with the city’s Law Department about whether he can direct the NYPD to detain Netanyahu when the Israeli leader arrives in September. The socialist mayor cited a 2024 International Criminal Court arrest warrant for the prime minister, charging him with war crimes. The United States does not recognize the ICC warrant, presenting a significant legal obstacle to any local enforcement action.

The mayor insisted the city would not create new laws to enable the arrest. He described Netanyahu as a war criminal whose actions over recent years justify the charges. Mamdani made arresting Netanyahu a central campaign promise during his mayoral run last year, leveraging his opposition to Israeli military operations in Gaza to attract far-left support and national media attention.

Netanyahu Fires Back

The Israeli prime minister dismissed the threats during a radio interview this week with Sid Rosenberg on 77 WABC, accusing Mamdani of supporting Hamas and harboring anti-American sentiments. Netanyahu characterized Israel as the sole democracy in the Middle East that shares American values, while describing Hamas as an organization dedicated to massacring Jews worldwide. The prime minister referenced the October 7, 2023 terror attack as the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon joined the criticism Saturday, accusing Mamdani of neglecting his mayoral duties by focusing on international politics rather than governing New York City. Danon suggested on social media that if anyone deserves arrest, it is the mayor himself for inciting hostility against Israel.

Controversy Over Mayor’s Wife

Mamdani also addressed growing scrutiny of his wife, Rama Duwaji, during the weekend interview. The Syrian-American artist has faced criticism for deleted social media posts praising Palestinian militant groups and attacking American service members who assist Israel. She previously liked a post claiming Hamas rapes during the October 7 attack were fabricated. The mayor defended his wife as an accomplished artist whose identity should not be defined solely through their marriage.

What This Means

Netanyahu plans to visit Washington later this month to meet with President Trump after postponing a weekend trip following Senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral rescheduling. The visit would mark his first trip to the capital since the Iran war began in February. Whether Mamdani possesses any legal mechanism to interfere with a visiting head of state under federal protection remains highly doubtful, with constitutional and diplomatic immunity protections likely superseding any local authority the mayor might claim.