New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says his administration is examining whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be arrested if he visits the city for the United Nations General Assembly in September, reigniting debate over international law and the limits of local authority.

The comments have drawn sharp criticism from Israeli officials and renewed attention on the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant issued against Netanyahu.

In an interview reported by several international media outlets, Mr Mamdani said he believed Mr Netanyahu “belongs in The Hague” and confirmed his legal advisers were assessing what authority, if any, New York City could exercise. He said any action would remain within existing law and that he would not seek to create new legal powers.

The ICC issued arrest warrants for Mr Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the Gaza conflict.

Israel rejects the allegations and disputes the court’s jurisdiction, while the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute establishing the ICC. Those legal realities have led many analysts to question whether any arrest could lawfully occur on US soil.

Israeli officials swiftly condemned Mr Mamdani’s remarks, describing them as politically motivated. Mr Netanyahu has previously dismissed similar suggestions, while Israel maintains the planned UN visit will proceed.

The issue is likely to remain under close scrutiny ahead of September’s UN General Assembly, where questions surrounding international justice, diplomacy and national jurisdiction are expected to remain in focus.