U.S. Envoy Criticizes New York City’s Arrest Plans

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations has accused Zohran Mamdani, Democratic mayor of New York City, of engaging in ‘political theater.’ This follows the mayor’s assertion that he aims to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he visit New York later this year.

Mamdani has expressed his intention to explore legal options to arrest Netanyahu during his expected visit to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in September. In a conversation with the New York Times, Mamdani claimed to be in ‘active conversation’ with the city’s legal team about his power to act. He stated, “Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we will do, but we won’t be writing our own laws to that end.”

Legal Challenges and Diplomatic Immunity

Mike Waltz, the U.S. envoy to the international organization, responded by calling Mamdani’s comments ‘pure political theater.’ He argued that the mayor lacks the legal authority to take action against Netanyahu under international and U.S. law. Waltz emphasized the U.S. has not ratified the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court (ICC), meaning it is not bound by the statute’s jurisdiction or required to assist in implementing its decisions.

Waltz also referenced head-of-state immunity and the UN Headquarters Agreement. The agreement outlines the legal status of the UN’s New York headquarters and offers protections to diplomats and officials attending UN assemblies.

Motive Behind Mamdani’s Arrest Intentions

Mamdani’s motivation to arrest Netanyahu links back to a warrant the ICC issued in November 2024. The court, based in The Hague, charged individuals for serious offenses, and this included an investigation into the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza. Judges concluded there were ‘reasonable grounds to believe’ Netanyahu and former Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant shared responsibility for alleged war crimes.

During his mayoral campaign, Mamdani pledged to honor the ICC warrant by arresting Netanyahu upon arrival in New York. Despite Mamdani’s stance, Netanyahu still plans to visit New York, as he mentioned during a virtual interview with The New York Times’ Dealbook Summit in December.

Mamdani told the New York Times, “I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague. He’s a war criminal charged by the International Criminal Court. And many share this opinion because of his actions over the years.”

Newsweek reached out to both the New York City Mayor’s office and the Israeli Prime Minister’s office for comments on this unfolding situation.