New York Mayor Declares No Authority to Arrest Netanyahu Amid ICC Warrant Controversy

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced on Wednesday night that the city lacks the legal authority to enforce the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite this, Mamdani urged the U.S. federal government to take action and declared Netanyahu unwelcome in New York City. In a social media statement, Mamdani said that after reviewing legal options, he concluded the city cannot execute the ICC order. He reiterated harsh accusations against Netanyahu and the Israeli government, labeling the prime minister a war criminal and blaming Israel for the deaths of over 73,000 Palestinians, describing it as ongoing murder. Mamdani also accused Israel of targeting hospitals, causing infant deaths, starving civilians, and harming aid workers and journalists during the conflict.

This statement follows Mamdani's earlier controversial interview with The New York Times, where he pledged to pursue Netanyahu's arrest during his upcoming visit for the UN General Assembly. U.S. President Donald Trump responded by affirming that Netanyahu would not be arrested while in the United States, expressing support for Israel and blaming Iran for widespread destruction and death. Israeli officials rejected Mamdani's remarks, with the Prime Minister's Office urging him to focus on addressing issues caused by his policies rather than attacking Israel's democratic leader. Israeli political sources argued that the ICC lacks jurisdiction over Israeli or American citizens, deeming the arrest warrant baseless. Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon and New York Consul General Ofir Akunis also criticized Mamdani, accusing him of fueling antisemitism instead of managing the city.