Mamdani walks back pledge to arrest Netanyahu citing lack of authority
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has walked back his pledge to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his upcoming visit. Mamdani clarified that he lacks the legal authority to enforce an International Criminal Court warrant and has called on the federal government to act instead.
Why it matters
The statement highlights the jurisdictional limitations of local officials regarding international law and underscores the ongoing political tension surrounding the ICC's involvement in the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Image source, Getty Images By Madeline Halpert Published 31 minutes ago New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who previously pledged to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited the city, now says he does not have the "authority" to do so.
In a video posted on social media, Mamdani instead called on US officials to act on the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for the Israeli Prime Minister over alleged war crimes.
Technically, if Netanyahu set foot in an ICC member state, he could be arrested and handed over to the court - but the US is not a member of the ICC.
President Donald Trump has said Netanyahu would not be "arrested, in any way, shape or form" while in the US.
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