Mamdani says NYC can’t arrest Netanyahu but the federal government should
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated that the city lacks the legal authority to execute an ICC arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu. However, he publicly urged the U.S. federal government to enforce the warrant and declared Netanyahu unwelcome in the city.
Why it matters
The statement highlights the ongoing tension between local municipal authority and federal foreign policy regarding international legal mandates.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said late on Tuesday (July 21, 2026) 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 Mr. 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.
Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal. pic.twitter.com/YRezmW6YVx
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