New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani said New York lacked the legal authority to arrest Netanyahu on an ICC warrant but asked the federal government to enforce it.
New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani said his government cannot arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on an International Criminal Court warrant but called on the federal government to do so.
Mamdani posted a video on social media on Tuesday to make his position clear.
“Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York. Neither are other fugitive war criminals,” he says in the film.
The mayor referred to the November 2024 arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court charging Netanyahu with crimes against humanity and war crimes related to Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
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The ICC arrest warrant accuses Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yove Galant of using starvation as a tactic of war, limiting humanitarian aid and deliberately targeting civilians.
Israeli officials deny the accusations. Although Mamdani mentions genocide in the film, the arrest warrant does not mention genocide.
Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has killed 73,000 people since the war began, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Mamdani’s government examines whether New York City can enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Netanyahu.
After reviewing legal options, the mayor determined the city did not have the authority to enforce it.
However, he believes the federal government does.
Speaking directly about Netanyahu in the film, Mamdani said: “They should recognize with their eyes, their hearts and their consciences the damage he has caused and understand that he deserves to be tried in court.”
Netanyahu is due to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.
The timing of Mamdani’s release of the video and statement puts pressure on federal authorities to decide how to handle the situation.
Mamdani told The New York Times earlier this month that he and the city’s legal department were discussing the possibility of arresting Netanyahu if he visits New York.
His latest film underscores that stance while acknowledging the city’s legal constraints.
“We can decide whether our silence becomes another weapon. We can examine all the tools at our disposal to defend the humanity and dignity of all people. This is my promise to you,” Mamdani said.
President Donald Trump echoed Mamdani’s stance in a social media post.
“Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested in any way, shape, or form while he is in the United States of America,” Trump wrote.
The post did not mention Mamdani directly, but was clearly a response to the mayor’s statement.
Trump has taken a tough stance on the International Criminal Court. The president signed an executive order sanctioning the International Criminal Court against the United States and its allies, including Israel.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations criticized Mamdani’s position, saying the mayor was elected to serve New Yorkers rather than make an international political statement.
The ambassador’s response underscored the diplomatic tension surrounding the issue.
Mamdani’s comments are consistent with positions he took during his mayoral campaign.
The former rapper and state legislator built his political identity around activism and social justice issues. His stance on Netanyahu reflects his broader commitment to human rights and accountability.
