Key facts
- New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed he does not possess the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Mamdani called on U.S. federal authorities to execute an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Netanyahu.
- Netanyahu is anticipated to visit New York in September for the United Nations General Assembly.
- Donald Trump criticized Mamdani's stance, asserting Netanyahu would not be arrested in the U.S.
- Benjamin Netanyahu expressed no concern regarding Mamdani's statements.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani acknowledged on Tuesday that he does not have the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, Mamdani urged U.S. federal authorities to apprehend Netanyahu if he visits the United States later this year, citing an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for alleged war crimes.
Mamdani stated that his administration reviewed all available legal avenues and concluded that New York City lacks independent authority to enforce the ICC warrant. He called on the federal government to join the ICC and execute the warrant, emphasizing that Netanyahu is not welcome in the city.
Netanyahu is expected to travel to New York in September for the United Nations General Assembly. Mamdani had previously pledged to review the possibility of arresting Netanyahu during this visit, referencing the ICC's 2024 arrest warrant.
The United States does not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction and is not a party to the court. Mamdani's remarks drew criticism from Donald Trump, who asserted that Netanyahu "will not be arrested" on U.S. soil, arguing that Netanyahu is fighting against Iran. Netanyahu, meanwhile, stated he is "not concerned" about Mamdani's comments.