Key facts
- NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated the city lacks the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Mamdani urged U.S. federal authorities to enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Netanyahu.
- The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024, alleging responsibility for war crimes.
- President Donald Trump stated Netanyahu would not be arrested in the United States.
- Mamdani described Netanyahu as a 'war criminal' and declared him unwelcome in New York City.
- The ICC cited alleged crimes against humanity in connection with the war in Gaza.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated that the city lacks the independent legal authority to execute an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mamdani, who had previously discussed the possibility of arresting Netanyahu if he visited New York for the U.N. General Assembly in September, described the Israeli prime minister as a 'war criminal' and declared him unwelcome in the city. Mamdani urged the federal government to enforce the ICC warrant, noting that while the city cannot act, the federal government possesses the authority. He also called for the U.S. to join the ICC. President Donald Trump publicly stated that Netanyahu would not be arrested in the United States. Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon responded to Mamdani, accusing him of serving Hamas' propaganda and urging him to focus on his duties to New Yorkers. The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and others in November 2024, citing alleged crimes against humanity in connection with the war in Gaza. The court stated there was reason to believe Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant used starvation as a method of warfare and intentionally targeted civilians, charges that Israeli officials deny.