NEW YORK (Diya TV) — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has called on the federal government to enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the city lacks the legal authority to carry out such an action.
In a video statement posted Tuesday night, Mamdani described Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and accused him of committing a “horrific genocide against the Palestinian people.” He also said Netanyahu should not be welcomed in New York City ahead of his expected visit for the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Mamdani said his administration carefully reviewed whether the New York Police Department could execute the International Criminal Court, or ICC, warrant. However, after consulting with the city’s Law Department, officials concluded that New York City does not have the legal authority to make such an arrest.
“It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant,” Mamdani said in the video. He then urged the federal government to take action instead. “The federal government, however, does, and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant,” he added.
The mayor also said that no person facing war crimes allegations should receive a welcome in the city. “Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large,” he said.
Mamdani’s remarks came just days after he said he had held active discussions with city lawyers about the legal options surrounding the ICC warrant. During an interview with The New York Times, he explained that those conversations focused on whether the city had any authority to act if Netanyahu visited New York.
However, legal experts have long questioned whether a city government can enforce an ICC warrant. The United States does not belong to the International Criminal Court. As a result, the court’s rulings do not carry automatic legal force in the country.
President Donald Trump also dismissed the possibility of an arrest. Earlier this week, he said Netanyahu “will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form,” while visiting the United States. Trump praised the Israeli leader and defended his role during the conflict with Hamas and recent tensions involving Iran.
Netanyahu is expected to travel to New York in September to attend the annual United Nations General Assembly. Last year, during his mayoral campaign, Mamdani promised that he would direct the New York Police Department to arrest Netanyahu if he visited the city. His latest statement, however, acknowledged that the city lacks the authority to carry out that pledge.
The comments quickly drew criticism from Israeli officials. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, accused Mamdani of promoting what he called Hamas propaganda. Danon urged the mayor to focus on governing New York City instead of making foreign policy statements.
Netanyahu’s office also criticized Mamdani’s position. In a statement released earlier this week, officials said the mayor should focus on addressing issues affecting New Yorkers rather than targeting the Israeli leader. The statement described Israel as the only democracy in the Middle East and accused Mamdani of using the issue for political attention.
The ICC issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The court accused both leaders of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The allegations include claims that Israeli authorities intentionally restricted access to food, water, fuel and medical supplies for civilians.
Netanyahu and Gallant have denied the accusations. Israel has repeatedly rejected claims that it committed genocide or deliberately targeted civilians. Israeli officials argue that the military has taken extensive steps to reduce civilian casualties while fighting Hamas following the group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
The ICC also issued a warrant for Hamas military commander Muhammad Deif on charges of crimes against humanity. However, Israel has said it killed Deif in an airstrike before the warrant could take effect.
Meanwhile, the conflict in Gaza continues to draw global attention and political debate. Several international organizations and United Nations bodies have criticized Israel’s military actions. At the same time, Israeli leaders continue to reject those findings and defend their wartime decisions.
Public opinion in the United States has also shifted during the conflict. According to the Pew Research Center, a majority of Americans now hold an unfavorable view of Israel. The survey found even stronger negative views among younger adults and among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents.
