US envoy rejects Mamdani's threat to arrest Netanyahu during NYC visit

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz rejected NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's suggestion to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his UN General Assembly visit, calling it legally untenable.

Waltz argued that the US is not party to the Rome Statute, the UN Headquarters Agreement grants diplomatic protections, head-of-state immunity applies, and federal authority trumps local mayoral wishes.

Mamdani said his administration was consulting the NYC Law Department on legal authority to detain Netanyahu, but acknowledged any action must stay within existing law.

Mamdani stated he believes Netanyahu belongs in The Hague as a war criminal charged by the International Criminal Court.