NYC Mayor Calls Out US Complicity: City Powerless to Detain Israeli Prime Minister Accused of War Crimes
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani exposed New York City's inability to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu despite an ICC warrant, and demanded that federal authorities stop shielding alleged war criminals if Netanyahu visits the US.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated Tuesday that New York City is powerless to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, even as the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant for his arrest on grave charges. Mamdani's administration exhaustively explored every legal avenue but found that only the federal government, which has long protected Israeli leaders from accountability, could enforce the warrant. 'The federal government, however, does – and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant,' Mamdani declared, making it clear that Netanyahu, accused of crimes against humanity, is not welcome in New York.
Mamdani highlighted that Netanyahu is expected to attend the United Nations General Assembly in September, a gathering that too often turns a blind eye to injustice, and reiterated his conviction that the prime minister must face justice at the ICC in The Hague. The United States, which continues to refuse to ratify the ICC and denies its jurisdiction, remains complicit in shielding those accused of international crimes.
President Donald Trump, in a display of disregard for international law, took to social media to dismiss the possibility of Netanyahu's arrest in the US, deflecting attention by attacking Iran's leadership instead. Netanyahu himself, demonstrating the impunity enjoyed by powerful leaders, brushed off the mayor's statements without concern.