Mamdani says New York cannot enforce ICC warrant against Netanyahu, urges federal action

NEW YORK: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on Tuesday that the city does not have the legal authority to enforce the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging the US federal government to take action instead.

In a short video shared on social media, Mamdani said, “Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal, the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people.”

He added that his administration had examined all available legal options to determine whether New York City could carry out the ICC warrant should Netanyahu visit the city.

“My administration has reviewed every avenue available under applicable law to determine whether New York City could execute the ICC’s arrest warrant if Benjamin Netanyahu came here,” he said.

“It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant. The federal government, however, does, and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant.”

The Hague-based ICC issued arrest warrants in 2024, saying it had reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu was responsible for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza following Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump said Netanyahu would not face arrest if he travelled to New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September.

In his video message, Mamdani said, “anyone — with their eyes, with their heart, with their conscience — should recognise the devastation he has wrought and understand that he belongs before a court of law.”

He added, “As I’ve said, 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.”

Netanyahu’s office rejected Mamdani’s remarks, describing the ICC as a “kangaroo court.”