Mamdani: NYC lacks legal authority to arrest Netanyahu, but urges federal action

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani acknowledged on Tuesday that he does not have the authority to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu, but urged U.S. federal authorities to act if the Israeli prime minister visits the country later this year.

In a video posted on social media, Mamdani called Netanyahu a "war criminal" and "the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people." He said he believes the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrant for Netanyahu on war crimes charges is justified, but admitted he lacks the legal power to execute it.

"My administration has reviewed every avenue available under applicable law to determine whether New York City could execute the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant if Benjamin Netanyahu came here," Mamdani 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 mayor added that Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other at-large war criminal. Netanyahu is expected to travel to New York in September for the United Nations General Assembly.

Mamdani said last week he was reviewing whether he could arrest Netanyahu during that visit, having pledged to do so during his mayoral campaign. He stated that Netanyahu belongs in The Hague, the seat of the ICC, which issued the warrant in 2024. The United States does not recognize the ICC's authority and is not a party to it.

Former President Donald Trump rebuked Mamdani's remarks, insisting Netanyahu "will not be arrested" on U.S. soil. In a social media post, Trump argued Netanyahu is fighting against Iran and that those who led Iran into an "unprecedented spiral of death and destruction" should be arrested instead.

Netanyahu himself said he is "not concerned" about Mamdani's comments.