Mayor of New York City (NYC) Zohran Mamdani confirmed on Tuesday night (EST) that the city’s Law Department has determined that it lacks the independent legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu during his upcoming visit in September for the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
In a statement released on video, the mayor challenged the United States (US) federal government to join the International Criminal Court (ICC) and enforce the warrant issued against Netanyahu in 2024.
“My administration has reviewed every avenue available under applicable law to determine whether New York City could execute the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant if Benjamin Netanyahu came here. It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant,” Mamdani said.
He added, “The federal government, however, does and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant.”
The announcement follows remarks Mamdani made during an interview with The New York (NYT) Times, where he confirmed ongoing conversations with city attorneys regarding the enforcement of the ICC warrant.
In the video, Mamdani described the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza and directly addressed the role of the US.
“Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal, the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people,” Mamdani said. “He is responsible for the killing of more than 73,000 people, for the maiming of tens of thousands of children as those who survive undergo amputation without anesthesia.”
Mamdani stated that Netanyahu oversaw the targeting of neonatal hospitals, maternity centers, food blockades and the killings of journalists and humanitarian workers.
He noted that UN reports confirmed the targeting of Palestinian children months after ceasefire announcements, adding that American tax funds directly finance the weapons deployed in the conflict.
“Anyone with their eyes, with their heart, with their conscience, should recognize the devastation he has wrought and understand that he belongs before a court of law,” Mamdani said. “Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large.”
US President Donald Trump addressed the matter on Monday, stating that Netanyahu will not face arrest in the US under any circumstances.
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, responded to Mamdani by saying, “Enough with the blood libels. You were elected to serve New Yorkers, not Hamas’ propaganda. Do your job!”
Netanyahu’s office also released a statement accusing the mayor of attempting to divert public attention from local administration issues by targeting Israel.
The ICC issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Netanyahu on charges of war crimes and deprivation of essential resources including food, water, fuel, and medical supplies from civilians in Gaza.
The US does not maintain membership in the International Criminal Court.
The expected arrival of the Israeli Prime Minister in September is tied to the annual UN General Assembly in New York.
