New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stated that New York City does not have the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. However, he urged the US federal government to take action if Netanyahu enters the United States.
In a video shared on social media, Mamdani described Netanyahu as a war criminal and accused him of being responsible for what he called a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people. He explained that his administration carefully reviewed all legal options to determine whether the city could enforce the ICC warrant but concluded that New York City lacks independent legal authority to do so.
According to Mamdani, the responsibility to act lies with the federal government, which has broader legal powers. He called on federal officials to cooperate with the ICC and enforce the warrant if the opportunity arises.
The International Criminal Court issued the warrant in 2024, saying there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu was responsible for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. The allegations remain contested, and the ICC process is ongoing.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Netanyahu would not face arrest if he attended the United Nations General Assembly in New York this September. The statement highlights the political divide surrounding the ICC warrant and its possible enforcement in the United States.
Reaffirming his position, Mamdani said that any person charged by the ICC should face trial, regardless of their position or nationality. He argued that those accused of serious international crimes should be held accountable through legal institutions.
In response, Netanyahu’s office rejected Mamdani’s comments and dismissed the ICC, calling it a “kangaroo court.” The dispute reflects the ongoing international debate over the court’s authority and accountability for alleged crimes committed during the Gaza conflict.
