US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz rejected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's threat to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the upcoming UN General Assembly, calling it 'pure political theater.' Waltz stated that the United States is not a party to the International Criminal Court and that diplomatic protections and federal law prevent such an arrest. Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon also condemned Mamdani, urging him to address rising antisemitism in New York rather than targeting Israel.
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz formally rejected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's threat to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the upcoming UN General Assembly, calling it 'pure political theater.' The statement, delivered Sunday evening (19:04 Jerusalem), marks the latest escalation in a diplomatic clash that has unfolded over the past day. Waltz cited the US not being a signatory to the Rome Statute, diplomatic protections under the UN Headquarters Agreement, and federal law as barriers. Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon separately condemned Mamdani, urging him to focus on combating antisemitism in New York.
The exchange began Saturday evening, when Mamdani told The New York Times he would use his authority to promote Netanyahu's arrest. By 22:50 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported multiple responses from Waltz, initially characterizing the threat as 'pure political theater' and later detailing four legal reasons why the arrest cannot materialize. Earlier Sunday, at 14:47 Jerusalem, The Zioneer published a full breakdown of Waltz's four-point legal argument. Mamdani then reiterated his position in a Sunday evening interview with The New York Times at 18:51 Jerusalem, prompting Waltz's formal response.
The Zioneer previously reported on Saturday evening that Israeli officials, including Consul General Ofir Akunis and UN Ambassador Danon, had dismissed Mamdani's threat as lacking authority. Danon, in a statement at 20:51 Jerusalem, said Mamdani had 'failed in managing New York' and should be arrested himself. Mamdani, for his part, told The Zioneer on Saturday at 23:35 Jerusalem that he believes Netanyahu is a 'war criminal' but acknowledged he would not pass new laws to enable the arrest.
Mamdani has not yet responded to Waltz's latest statement. The legal and diplomatic debate continues, with no indication that the mayor will alter his position before the General Assembly in September.
4 developments
- StrongIsraeli officials dismiss Mamdani's arrest threat against Netanyahu; Danon says he should be arrested
- StrongNYC Mayor Mamdani: Netanyahu is a 'war criminal,' should be in The Hague — but no new laws
- DevelopingIsrael's UN envoy Danon: Mamdani failed in managing New York, Netanyahu will address UN General Assembly
- DevelopingFormer Israeli consul calls Mamdani's arrest threat 'deranged,' says NYC in worst state in 30 years
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