Trump rules out arrest of Netanyahu in the United States – New York mayor disagrees

In a video podcast aired by the "New York Times" on Saturday, Mamdani said the city's legal department was reviewing such a course of action. "Ich bin der Meinung, dass Netanjahu nach Den Haag gehört", Mamdani said in the interview. He also called the Israeli head of government a "Kriegsverbrecher".

Mamdani's review of municipal powers

In another interview with the "New York Times", the New York mayor stated that he was in "aktivem Austausch" with the city's legal department about whether he had the authority to have the Israeli head of government arrested. This is fueling a debate over the scope of municipal competencies in the US state of New York.

The Israeli mission to the United Nations in New York told the German Press Agency that it "fest" expected Netanyahu to take part in the UN General Debate in September. It also dismissed Mamdani's statements as legally unfounded.

Reactions from Israel and the United States

The incident comes amid a phase of strained relations between Israel and the United States under Trump, as well as growing criticism of Israel's conduct of the war in the Gaza Strip. Should Netanyahu travel to New York in September, it would be his first visit to the UN General Debate since the ICC arrest warrant.

Trump had already made clear in earlier statements that he politically supports Netanyahu. With his firm stance against an arrest, he is also preventing the issue from being further negotiated at the federal level. Observers interpret the statement as a signal to allied states and critics alike.

International significance of the matter

Mamdani is sticking to his line and points to the independence of the city administration. According to information from City Hall, a final decision by the New York legal department is still pending. A possible court proceeding in the United States is also not ruled out should the city claim arrest authority.

Internationally, the matter is attracting attention because it marks the first time a senior US mayor has openly raised the possibility of arresting a friendly state guest. Human rights organizations see this as a sign of the growing importance of international criminal law; critics accuse Mamdani of politicizing municipal justice.

The coming weeks will show whether the New York legal department actually sees options for action and how the US federal government would respond should a legal conflict arise. Netanyahu's participation in the UN General Debate in September is considered likely.