NEW YORK – New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Tuesday that New York City does not have the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), while urging the U.S. government to take action instead.
In a video posted on X, Mamdani described Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and said the Israeli leader was not welcome in New York City.
“It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant,” Mamdani said. “The federal government however does and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant.”
The remarks mark a shift from statements Mamdani made during his mayoral campaign and earlier this month, when he suggested New York City could seek to arrest Netanyahu if the Israeli prime minister visited the city for the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Legal Review Finds City Lacks Authority
Earlier this month, Mamdani told The New York Times that he and the city’s legal department were examining whether New York authorities could execute the ICC warrant if Netanyahu traveled to the city.
In Tuesday’s statement, Mamdani said the legal review had concluded that New York City lacks the independent authority to carry out such an arrest.
“I want to be equally clear, Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large,” he said.
Trump Says Netanyahu Will Not Be Arrested
Mamdani’s comments came a day after President Donald Trump said Netanyahu would not face arrest while visiting the United States.
In a social media post Monday, Trump wrote that Netanyahu “will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America.” The post did not specifically mention Mamdani.
Throughout his mayoral campaign, Mamdani repeatedly said he would direct the New York Police Department to arrest Netanyahu under the ICC warrant should the Israeli leader visit New York.
Israeli Ambassador Criticizes Mamdani
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, rejected Mamdani’s remarks in a statement posted on social media.
“You were elected to serve New Yorkers, not Hamas’ propaganda,” Danon said. “Do your job!”
ICC Warrant Stems From Gaza War Allegations
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Netanyahu and others in connection with the war in Gaza.
According to the court, there are reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant committed crimes against humanity, including allegations of using starvation as a method of warfare by restricting humanitarian assistance and intentionally directing attacks against civilians during Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza.
Israeli officials have denied the allegations.
This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.
Article Topics: Zohran Mamdani | Benjamin Netanyahu | International Criminal Court | Gaza War | New York City | United Nations | Donald Trump | International Law
