New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a war criminal who could face arrest if he visits the city.
In an interview with The New York Times, Mayor Mamdani said Mr Netanyahu also ‘belongs in The Hague’, referring to the International Criminal Court, where the Israeli leader is wanted for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.
Mayor Mamdani said he has been discussing the possibility of arrest with the city’s law department, ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in September, which Mr Netanyahu may attend.
Questions Over Jurisdiction
However, the mayor’s comments have raised questions about whether a local jurisdiction has the authority to take legal action against a visiting head of government.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz dismissed Mayor Mamdani’s remarks as ‘pure political theater’, citing the UN Headquarters Agreement, which grants immunity to visiting heads of government.
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