SUMMARY
- New York City says it lacks legal authority to enforce the ICC arrest warrant against Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged the U.S. federal government to take action instead.
- The comments come ahead of Netanyahu’s expected visit to New York for the U.N. General Assembly in September.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Tuesday that his administration has determined the city cannot independently enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York later this year.
In a video shared on social media, Mamdani described Netanyahu as “a war criminal” and said his administration had reviewed whether the city had any legal authority to execute the ICC warrant.
According to the mayor, that review concluded such authority does not rest with New York City.
“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.” Netanyahu is expected to travel to New York in September to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
While stating that the city cannot carry out the warrant, Mamdani called on the US federal government to do so.
“The federal government, however, does and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant,” he said. Mamdani also stated that Netanyahu and “any other war criminal at large” are not welcome in New York City.
Mamdani’s latest remarks follow comments he made last week, when he said his administration was examining whether New York City had the authority to arrest Netanyahu during the anticipated September visit.
The review stemmed from a campaign pledge Mamdani made during last year’s mayoral race. Also last week, US President Donald Trump said Netanyahu would not be arrested under any circumstances.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the Israeli leader was fighting against Iran and argued that Iranian leaders and their supporters, rather than Netanyahu, should face arrest.
The statements highlight the legal distinction between municipal and federal authority in matters involving international arrest warrants.
They also underscore differing public positions within the United States ahead of Netanyahu’s expected appearance at the United Nations General Assembly.
The issue centers on whether local governments have the legal authority to enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.
According to Mamdani, New York City’s legal review concluded that enforcement powers belong to the federal government rather than the city administration.
TABLE
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Mayor | Zohran Mamdani |
| Person Involved | Benjamin Netanyahu |
| Expected Visit | September 2026 |
| Destination | New York City, United Nations General Assembly |
| ICC Warrant | Referenced by Mamdani in his remarks |
| City’s Position | No independent authority to enforce warrant |
| Federal Position | Mamdani urged the U.S. government to act |
| Trump’s Position | Said Netanyahu would not be arrested |
Mamdani said New York City lacks the legal authority to enforce the ICC warrant but urged the federal government to do so.
President Donald Trump said Netanyahu would not be arrested and argued that Iranian leaders and their supporters are the individuals who should face arrest.
Netanyahu is expected to travel to New York in September to attend the United Nations General Assembly. No further action by New York City has been announced following the legal review cited by Mayor Mamdani.
Why did Mayor Zohran Mamdani say New York City cannot arrest Benjamin Netanyahu?
Mamdani said his administration reviewed the city’s legal authority and concluded that New York City does not have the independent power to enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant.
Why is Benjamin Netanyahu expected to visit New York?
According to the provided source, Netanyahu is expected to travel to New York in September to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
What did President Donald Trump say about the issue?
Trump said Netanyahu would not be arrested under any circumstances and argued that Iranian leaders and their supporters are the ones who should face arrest.
