New York: Zohran Mamdani Will Not Enforce Arrest Warrant Against Netanyahu

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has declared that the city lacks the legal authority to execute an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mamdani announced in a video statement that a legal review concluded the city cannot enforce the warrant, which accuses Netanyahu and others of crimes against humanity in the Gaza War.

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Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City.

Mamdani instead called upon the U.S. government to take charge of enforcing the warrant, asserting that Washington possesses the necessary jurisdiction. This stance contrasts with President Donald Trump's earlier commitment that Netanyahu would not be arrested while in the United States. Neither the U.S. nor Israel recognizes the ICC's jurisdiction.

During his mayoral campaign, Mamdani had pledged to arrest Netanyahu. However, after his election, he adopted a more cautious approach, deferring to the city's legal department for review. In his recent video, Mamdani strongly condemned Netanyahu, calling him a "war criminal" and the "architect of a cruel genocide against the Palestinian population," and declared him unwelcome in New York City.

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architect of a cruel genocide against the Palestinian population

Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, criticized Mamdani's statements, tweeting that the mayor was elected to serve New Yorkers, not to promote "Hamas propaganda." Netanyahu is expected to attend the UN General Debate in New York in September. The ICC issued the arrest warrant against him in November 2024.

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You were elected to serve New Yorkers, not Hamas propaganda