New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has acknowledged he does not possess the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but he has urged the US federal government to do so if Netanyahu visits the United States later this year. In a video posted to social media on Tuesday, Mamdani described Netanyahu as a war criminal and the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people.
Mamdani Calls Netanyahu a War Criminal
Mamdani stated that he believes the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for Netanyahu's arrest over alleged war crimes is justified. However, he admitted that his administration lacks the independent legal power to enforce it. '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. 'It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant.'
Federal Government Urged to Act
The mayor called on the federal government to join the ICC and execute the warrant. 'The federal government, however, does – and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant,' he added. 'And I want to be equally clear: Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large.' Netanyahu is expected to travel to New York in September for the UN General Assembly.
Previous Pledge and Legal Review
Mamdani had previously stated last week that he was reviewing whether he could arrest Netanyahu during that visit, after pledging to do so during his mayoral campaign last year. 'I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague,' Mamdani said, referring to the Dutch city where the ICC is located. The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024. The United States does not recognize the ICC’s authority and is not a party to it.
Trump’s Response
Mamdani’s remarks drew rebuke from former President Donald Trump, who insisted Netanyahu 'will not be arrested' on US soil. Trump said in a social media post that Netanyahu is 'fighting against the Islamic Republic of Iran' and 'the only ones that should be arrested are the people that led Iran into this unprecedented spiral of death and destruction.' Netanyahu himself said he was 'not concerned' about Mamdani’s comments.
