New York mayor raises possibility of Netanyahu arrest

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said his administration is examining whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be arrested if he travels to New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September.

Speaking publicly, Mamdani said he believes Netanyahu should face trial in The Hague, describing him as "a war crimes suspect indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC)." His remarks came after the ICC issued an arrest warrant for the Israeli prime minister, a move that Israel rejects, CE Report quotes ANSA.

The comments prompted a swift response from Netanyahu's office, which dismissed the possibility of any arrest and strongly criticized both Mamdani and the ICC.

In a statement, the Israeli prime minister's office described the ICC arrest warrant as "fraudulent" and argued that it was issued by former ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan shortly before allegations of sexual misconduct against him became public. According to Netanyahu's office, the warrant was an attempt by Khan to divert public attention and shield himself from scrutiny.

The statement also accused Mamdani of trying to distract the public from what it called his "failed policies" in New York. It urged the mayor to focus on addressing problems in the city rather than targeting Israel's prime minister.

Netanyahu's office further reiterated Israel's longstanding position that the ICC has no jurisdiction over either Israeli or U.S. citizens, calling the court a "sham tribunal."

Israeli media reported that Netanyahu is expected to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September, although no official details of the visit have been confirmed.

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