New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has called for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Mamdani referenced an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court regarding alleged war crimes in Gaza, although he acknowledged he does not have the legal authority to execute such an arrest. His statements have drawn criticism from Jewish groups, who accuse him of antisemitism and mischaracterizing Israel's actions in response to the October 7, 2023, massacre carried out by Hamas.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center criticized Mamdani for allegedly using his position to promote divisive rhetoric against Israel. Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, stated that Mamdani's focus on Israel detracts from pressing issues facing New Yorkers. In response, Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon suggested that Mamdani should be investigated for supporting terrorism, citing his outreach to Iranian representatives.
Mamdani's comments have also sparked outrage among Republican lawmakers, with calls for investigations into his administration's interactions with foreign governments, particularly Iran. The Logan Act, which prohibits unauthorized Americans from negotiating with foreign governments, has been cited in this context. Some legal experts suggest that while the act is difficult to enforce, Mamdani's actions warrant scrutiny.