Mamdani fails to arrest Netanyahu while insisting 'war criminal' isn't welcome in New York City
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has acknowledged that the city lacks the legal authority to execute an ICC arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite this, Mamdani publicly declared that Netanyahu is not welcome in the city, drawing criticism from Israeli officials.
Why it matters
The situation highlights the friction between local municipal political stances and federal/international legal jurisdictions regarding foreign policy.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said late Tuesday that the city would not be able to execute an arrest warrant issued by the world’s top war-crimes court for Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu , but urged the federal government to do so.
In the video Mamdani described the Israeli prime minister as a “war criminal” and said he is not welcome in New York City.
“It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant,” he said in a video posted on X. “The federal government however does and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant,” he added, referring to the International Criminal Court.
Mamdani had told the New York Times earlier this month that he and the city’s legal department were discussing arresting Netanyahu if he comes to New York City for the U.N. General Assembly in September.
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