- Mamdani called Netanyahu a "war criminal" and said he is "not welcome in New York City" in a social media video.
- Mamdani backed off his pledge to arrest Netanyahu, citing his lack of authority as mayor, and urged the federal government to join the ICC and execute its arrest warrant.
- Pro-Israel figures criticized Mamdani, with Jonathan Harounoff accusing him of "political theater" and John Fetterman calling him a "clown" and dismissing the ICC as "that corrupt court".
- A recent poll indicates 58% of Democrats believe the US is too supportive of Israel, up from 45% in 2024, reflecting shifting Democratic voter sentiment.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani acknowledged he lacks the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his anticipated visit for the UN General Assembly.
In a statement, Mamdani said, "It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant," emphasizing the need for federal action.
He urged the federal government to join the International Criminal Court (ICC) and execute the arrest warrant issued against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes, including "starvation as a method of warfare, and … murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts".2
Mamdani's remarks came after he labeled Netanyahu a "war criminal" in a social media video, stating he is "not welcome in New York City".1
Despite Mamdani's calls, both the US and Israel are not members of the ICC, which the US has historically opposed.
Mamdani's previous campaign promises included arresting Netanyahu, stating, "This is something that I intend to fulfill." His comments reflect a growing shift among Democratic voters, with a recent poll indicating that 58% of Democrats believe the US is too supportive of Israel, up from 45% in 2024.5
In response, Israeli officials criticized Mamdani, with former UN spokesperson Jonathan Harounoff accusing him of "political theater".34
“Mamdani had earlier called Netanyahu a 'war criminal' and said he is 'not welcome in New York City' in a social media video. Pro-Israel figures including John Fetterman criticized him, with Fetterman dismissing the ICC as 'that corrupt court' and a recent poll showing 58% of Democrats believe the US is too supportive of Israel.”
The Guardian
BBC
