Mamdani on Netanyahu Arrest: 'We Will Act Within City Laws'

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the potential for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's arrest should he visit the city for the UN General Assembly in September, stating that New York will operate within the bounds of its municipal laws. "We will act within the powers granted by New York City laws, but we will not write our own laws for this purpose," Mamdani said in an interview with The New York Times. He further characterized Netanyahu as a "war criminal" accused by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

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We will act within the powers granted by New York City laws, but we will not write our own laws for this purpose.

Netanyahu, in response, criticized Mamdani, asserting that the ICC holds no jurisdiction over U.S. or Israeli citizens. He dismissed the ICC's arrest warrant, issued on November 21, 2024, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, as "fabricated." Netanyahu accused Mamdani of deflecting from his own policies and attacking the leader of Israel, "the only democracy in the Middle East."

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Netanyahu's place is The Hague. He is a war criminal accused by the ICC.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump also weighed in, posting on social media that Netanyahu "will not be arrested in the United States under any circumstances." Trump framed Netanyahu's actions as a fight against Iran, which he accused of killing "52,000 innocent protesters" and many American soldiers. He argued that those who should be arrested are responsible for Iran's "unprecedented spiral of DEATH AND DESTRUCTION."

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Mr. Mamdani should focus on fixing the damage his policies have done to New York, rather than supporting the criminal actions of Karim Khan.

Mamdani's office indicated that discussions with the city's legal team are ongoing regarding the specific legal avenues available. The ICC's decision to seek arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has intensified international scrutiny over the conflict in Gaza.

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Netanyahu will not be arrested in the United States under any circumstances.