Key facts
- Mayor Mamdani stated in September 2025 he would operate within legal bounds regarding arresting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
- Mamdani had previously promised in December 2024 to order the NYPD to arrest Netanyahu.
- The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024.
- Activists criticized Mamdani for not preventing Netanyahu's visit to New York.
New York City Mayor Mamdani faced pressure to temper his public statements regarding the potential arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mamdani, who had previously vowed to arrest Netanyahu if he visited the city, shifted his tone by September 2025, emphasizing adherence to legal frameworks.
Mamdani's initial promise to arrest Netanyahu, first made in December 2024, was reiterated on September 12, 2025, with the Mayor stating his intention to have the NYPD execute the warrant. However, less than two weeks later, during an interview on September 25, 2025, Mamdani expressed a more cautious approach. He told former MSNBC anchor Mehdi Hasan that he would "operate within the bounds of the law," drawing a contrast with Donald Trump's alleged disregard for legal systems.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel's conflict in Gaza. The conflict, which began after Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, has resulted in a significant Palestinian death toll.
Despite Mamdani's acknowledgment of legal constraints, some of his staunchest anti-Israel supporters expressed disappointment. Nerdeen Kiswani, a founder of the pro-Palestine group Within Our Lifetime, argued that Mamdani should have utilized all available means to disrupt Netanyahu's visit. Kiswani criticized the Mayor for not reflecting the principle of Netanyahu being unwelcome in New York through his actions, rather than just rhetoric, and for allegedly using the NYPD to shield Netanyahu from public criticism.