New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has publicly acknowledged that the city lacks the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, should he visit the United States later this year. This admission follows a review by Mamdani’s administration of the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Netanyahu. The outcome was clear: New York City does not possess the jurisdiction to enforce such a warrant.
Despite this limitation, Mamdani has urged the US federal government to acknowledge the ICC warrant and take appropriate action. In a social media video, he labeled Netanyahu as a war criminal, asserting that the Israeli leader, along with anyone facing similar allegations, would not be welcome in New York City. Netanyahu is slated to visit New York in September to participate in the United Nations General Assembly.
During his mayoral campaign, Mamdani had committed to exploring potential avenues for enforcing the ICC warrant if Netanyahu were to enter the city. The ICC had issued the warrant in 2024, accusing Netanyahu of war crimes. However, it’s important to note that the United States does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction and is not a member of the court.
Reacting to Mamdani’s statements, US President Donald Trump criticized the mayor, asserting that Netanyahu would not be subject to arrest on American soil. Trump also defended Netanyahu’s actions, standing by the Israeli prime minister amidst the controversy.
Netanyahu, for his part, has brushed aside the remarks made by the New York City mayor, expressing no concern over Mamdani’s comments regarding his potential visit to the United States.