New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has publicly clarified that the city does not possess the independent legal authority to carry out an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite this limitation, the mayor has strongly urged U.S. federal authorities to execute the warrant should the Israeli leader visit the country.
In a video statement released on social media, Mamdani labeled Netanyahu a "war criminal" and the "architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people." The ICC warrant, issued in November 2024, alleges that the Prime Minister is responsible for crimes against humanity and war crimes, specifically citing "starvation as a method of warfare" and the intentional targeting of civilian populations.
Mamdani, a Democrat elected in November 2025 with over 50% of the vote, stated that after a thorough review of all available legal avenues, his administration determined it could not enforce the international warrant. "The federal government, however, does," Mamdani stated, adding his call for them to "join the ICC and execute this warrant."
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office has dismissed the ICC’s actions, characterizing the court as a "kangaroo court" and labeling the warrant "bogus." Furthermore, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the matter on Monday, asserting that Netanyahu "will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America."
The diplomatic tension comes ahead of the United Nations General Assembly summit scheduled for September in New York, which Netanyahu could potentially attend. Mamdani, who campaigned on issues such as the cost-of-living crisis, rent freezes, and municipal grocery stores, has faced frequent criticism from President Trump, who has previously labeled the mayor a "communist" and accused him of "destroying New York."
