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After New York City was unable to find a legal pathway toward arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited, Mayor Zohran Mamdani emphasized that New Yorkers still have the right to protest.
During a press conference Wednesday, the mayor said "one of the bedrocks of our city is protest" after a reporter asked what those who disavow Netanyahu should do if he does visit the United Nations in September.
"I've always said that when we respect our Constitution, we also respect our First Amendment," Mamdani said. "And here in New York City, it'll always be a place where you can exercise that."
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The comments come after Mamdani called on the federal government to arrest the prime minister, who he referred to as a war criminal over Israeli military action in Gaza. He said that while New York City cannot detain the leader legally, the United States can, despite President Donald Trump saying earlier this week that Netanyahu would not be arrested when he visits.
"I'm simply saying that this is a city where — if anyone feels a level of frustration or opposition, protest is something that we will always respect," he said on Wednesday. "I leave it to New Yorkers themselves to make that decision."
Last week, Mamdani told The New York Times the city's legal department was looking at options for Netanyahu's arrest in NYC ahead of his potential attendance to the United Nations' General Assembly in September.
The ICC's warrant, issued in November 2024, accuses Netanyahu of war crimes and crimes against humanity as a result of Israel's military actions in Gaza. But the United States does not recognize the court, and protections are in place for leaders who visit the UN's New York City headquarters.
"My administration has reviewed every avenue available under applicable law to determine whether New York City could execute the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant if Benjamin Netanyahu came here," Mamdani said in a video statement on Tuesday.
"It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant. The federal government, however, does."
The mayor has repeatedly disavowed the prime minister and said Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City.
"I want to make it very clear that that welcome ends with me," Mamdani said during the conference Wednesday. "I will not be welcoming Benjamin Netanyahu or any other war criminals when they come to this city, and I do believe that our federal government should join the International Criminal Court and ensure that there is accountability when it comes to crimes against humanity."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: As city says no Netanyahu arrest, Mamdani brings up NYC protest rights
