NYC mayor says city lacks power to detain Israeli prime minister
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed New York City cannot arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu despite an ICC warrant, and urged federal authorities to act if he visits the United States.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Tuesday that New York City does not have the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, even though an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant exists. He said his administration examined all possible legal avenues and concluded that only the federal government could enforce the warrant. > "The federal government, however, does – and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant," Mamdani added, stating that Netanyahu would not be welcome in the city.
Mamdian noted that Netanyahu is expected to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September and reiterated his belief that the prime minister should face trial at the ICC in The Hague. The United States has not ratified the ICC and does not recognize its jurisdiction.
President Donald Trump responded on social media, rejecting the notion that Netanyahu could be arrested in the United States and shifting criticism toward Iran's leadership. Netanyahu later said he was not concerned by the mayor's remarks.