New York City Mayor Considers Arrest of Israeli PM Netanyahu Amid Policy Shifts
"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."
— Mayor Zohran Mamdani
Mayor’s Legal Consultation on Netanyahu
Mayor Mamdani confirmed that he is in "active conversation" with the city’s law department to determine his executive authority regarding the potential arrest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Prime Minister is subject to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity in Gaza.
During his mayoral campaign, Mamdani pledged to arrest Netanyahu if he entered New York City. The mayor 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.” He also reiterated his belief that Netanyahu “belongs in the Hague.”
In response, Prime Minister Netanyahu suggested that Mayor Mamdani “hates America.” Despite the threat of arrest, Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon confirmed that Netanyahu plans to attend the UN General Assembly meeting in September.
Revocation of Predecessor's Executive Orders
On Thursday, January 2, 2025, immediately following his inauguration, Mayor Mamdani signed executive orders revoking nine directives issued by former Mayor Eric Adams. The mayor’s office stated the action was intended to ensure a “fresh start” and noted that the revoked orders were signed after September 26, 2024, the date of Adams’ federal indictment. Former Mayor Adams has denied any wrongdoing, and the federal charges against him were subsequently dismissed.
Two of the rescinded orders were central to the city’s policy on Israel:
- Divestment Ban: One order had prohibited all city agencies from divesting from Israel.
- Antisemitism Definition: Another order had expanded the city’s definition of antisemitism to align with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, which classifies certain criticisms of Israel as antisemitic.
Mayor Mamdani defended the revocations, noting that new mayors have the option to continue, revoke, or amend previous executive orders. The mayor’s office indicated that some Jewish organizations in New York City shared concerns regarding the expanded definition. However, several Jewish organizations, including the UJA Federation of New York and the New York Board of Rabbis, issued a joint statement criticizing the revocation, asserting it reversed "significant protections against antisemitism."
Mayor Mamdani retained the city’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, established under former Mayor Adams, but stated his intention to reorganize its structure.
Other Executive Actions
On the same day, Mayor Mamdani also issued several other executive orders and actions, including:
- Housing: Orders mandating an analysis of methods to accelerate housing development and the creation of an inventory of city-owned land suitable for construction.
- Immigration: Reversal of an Adams-era order that permitted federal immigration authorities access to the Rikers Island jail complex. The New York Civil Liberties Union supported this reversal, stating the prior order violated the city’s sanctuary laws.
Stance on Israel and Boycott Movement
Mayor Mamdani has publicly stated his belief in Israel’s right to exist while advocating that the Israeli government should ensure equal rights for all citizens without preferential treatment based on ethnicity. He supports the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which proponents describe as a nonviolent tactic to support Palestinian human rights. Critics of the BDS movement consider it antisemitic.
Absence from Israel Day Parade
Mayor Mamdani did not attend the annual Israel Day parade on June 1, 2025, breaking a tradition of mayoral attendance. The mayor stated he had previously announced his intention not to attend, citing his criticism of the Israeli government, and committed to providing a police presence for the event. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is Jewish, attended the parade and stated the mayor’s decision was his own.
Public Opinion and Political Context
A May 2025 poll indicated that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters oppose U.S. aid to Israel, a shift from 45% three years prior. The poll also found that nearly half of those surveyed said their party was too supportive of Israel. Earlier in the week, nearly half of Democratic U.S. House members voted to end U.S. aid to Israel.