Zohran Mamdani Admits He Can’t Arrest Netanyahu Despite International Arrest Warrant

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said that his administration does not have the legal authority to enforce the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a video message posted on social media, Mamdani said his administration had reviewed all available legal options to determine whether New York City could arrest Netanyahu if he visited the city.

However, he said the city could not independently enforce the warrant and urged the US federal government to take action.

“The federal government, however, does, and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant,” Mamdani said.

The Hague-based ICC issued the warrant in 2024, saying there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu was responsible for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.

Mamdani also said Netanyahu should be brought before a court over the destruction caused in Gaza.

“I agree with the ICC that Benjamin Netanyahu should be arrested and tried for his crimes, as I do for anyone else charged by the ICC,” he said.

His remarks came after US President Donald Trump said Netanyahu would not be arrested if he attended the United Nations General Assembly summit in New York in September.

Netanyahu’s office rejected Mamdani’s position and described the ICC as a “kangaroo court.”