New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that his administration does not possess the authority to enforce the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a video message, Mamdani called on US federal officials to execute the warrant if Netanyahu visits New York.
Mamdani emphasized that after reviewing all available legal avenues, it became evident that New York City lacks the independent legal authority to enforce the ICC's warrant. He stressed that the federal government, however, does have the authority to do so.
The ICC issued the warrant in 2024, stating there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu was responsible for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel's offensive in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
US President Donald Trump has vowed that Netanyahu would not face arrest if he attends the United Nations General Assembly summit in New York in September. Netanyahu's office dismissed Mamdani's stance, labeling the ICC a kangaroo court.
Mamdani expressed his agreement with the ICC's decision, stating that Netanyahu should be arrested and tried for his alleged crimes, just as anyone else charged by the ICC should be. This stance adds to the ongoing international debate over the ICC's authority and the political implications of such warrants.
