London and Maryland Officials Join Calls to Arrest Israeli PM Netanyahu Over ICC Warrant

London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Maryland Governor Wes Moore have joined New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani in urging the prevention of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visits and calling for his prosecution following an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. Khan, speaking with Channel 4 News, emphasized that "those accused of genocide must face justice" and vowed to pressure the UK government to enforce the law if Netanyahu visits London, stating that "people who commit genocide are not welcome in London."

Governor Moore echoed these sentiments, labeling Netanyahu a war criminal who must be held accountable, citing actions such as using starvation as a weapon and other war crimes. Moore’s comments carry particular weight given that foreign leaders visiting the White House typically land at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, which lies within his jurisdiction. However, his office declined to confirm whether Maryland would attempt to detain Netanyahu if he landed there.

Mayor Mamdani acknowledged that he lacks the legal authority to enforce the ICC arrest warrant but condemned Netanyahu as the architect of a horrific genocide against Palestinians, responsible for tens of thousands of deaths and severe injuries, including attacks on hospitals and humanitarian workers. Mamdani highlighted the ongoing targeting of Palestinian children by Israeli forces and criticized U.S. funding of the Israeli military. He called on the Trump administration to enforce the ICC warrant, underscoring that Netanyahu is unwelcome in New York.

These statements come amid heightened international scrutiny of Netanyahu following the ICC’s issuance of the arrest warrant, reflecting growing calls from some Western officials for accountability over alleged war crimes and genocide. The enforcement of the warrant remains legally and diplomatically complex, with local authorities expressing solidarity but limited by jurisdictional constraints.