SAFA - New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani said the city’s legal authorities are examining whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be arrested if he visits New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly in September, citing the arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court.

In remarks reported by The New York Times, Mamdani said, “Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague,” referring to the seat of the International Criminal Court. He added that the possibility of taking legal action against Netanyahu is “under serious discussion” with the city’s legal team.

Mamdani described Netanyahu as a “war criminal,” saying the characterization is based on the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court and the consequences of the genocide in the Gaza Strip. He acknowledged, however, that he is uncertain whether he has the legal authority to direct the New York Police Department to arrest a foreign head of government.

“We will do everything the law allows in New York City, but we will not create our own laws to achieve that goal,” he said.

During his mayoral campaign, Mamdani pledged to respect the rulings of the International Criminal Court and vowed to seek Netanyahu’s arrest if he visits New York. He also described the events in the Gaza Strip as “genocide.”

Mamdani linked his position to broader shifts within the Democratic Party, arguing that the genocide in Gaza has become an influential issue shaping voters’ views amid growing criticism within the party of U.S. policy toward Israel.