NYC mayor says city lacks authority to enforce ICC warrant for Netanyahu
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated that New York City cannot carry out an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and urged federal authorities to act.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani told reporters that the city does not have the legal power to enforce an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said the responsibility lies with the federal government and called on it to join the ICC in executing the warrant.
Mamdani said his administration had examined all possible options and concluded that municipal police cannot act on the warrant, even if Netanyahu were to attend the United Nations General Assembly in September. He added that Netanyahu and any other individuals accused of war crimes would not be welcomed in New York.
The mayor had previously indicated during his campaign that he would direct city police to arrest Netanyahu if he entered the city. The International Criminal Court issued the warrant in 2024, alleging crimes against humanity related to the Gaza conflict, charges that Israeli officials have denied.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon responded on social media, urging the mayor to focus on his duties to New Yorkers rather than political statements.