- The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024 for alleged war crimes in Gaza; the US is not an ICC member, limiting enforcement.
- Mamdani now says he does not have the "authority" to arrest Netanyahu after his team reviewed the law, and called on the federal government to act.
- President Donald Trump said Netanyahu would not be arrested "in any way, shape or form" in the US, citing his fight against Iran.
- Mamdani said Netanyahu is "not welcome" in New York City, where he is expected to attend the UN General Assembly in September.
- Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon responded, telling Mamdani he was elected to serve New Yorkers, not "Hamas' propaganda".
- A recent poll shows 58% of Democrats think the US is too supportive of Israel, up from 45% in 2024.
- The mayor's stance draws condemnation from pro-Israel officials and mixed reactions from pro-Palestinian advocates.
- Senator John Fetterman calls Mamdani a "clown" and notes the US is not part of the ICC.
- Netanyahu’s office dismisses the ICC as a "kangaroo court".
- The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant in 2024 for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has publicly acknowledged his inability to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing a lack of legal authority. Mamdani, who previously vowed to arrest Netanyahu if he visited the city, stated, “It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant.”345
Mamdani's comments came after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024, accusing him of war crimes related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The mayor urged the U.S. federal government to take action, saying, “I call on the federal government to join the international criminal court and to execute both this warrant as well as any warrant the international criminal court holds.”1218
Despite his previous campaign promises, Mamdani's recent statements have drawn mixed reactions. Pro-Palestinian advocates expressed disappointment over his retreat from a direct arrest, while some pro-Israel officials condemned his remarks. “You were elected to serve New Yorkers, not Hamas' propaganda,” responded Danny Danon, the Israeli ambassador to the UN.101213
Mamdani's insistence on the U.S. government enforcing the ICC warrant has been met with skepticism, especially since the U.S. is not a member of the ICC. President Donald Trump stated that Netanyahu would not be arrested in the U.S., emphasizing that he is “fighting against the Islamic Republic of Iran.” As public opinion shifts, with a recent poll indicating that 58% of Democrats believe the U.S. is too supportive of Israel, Mamdani's position reflects a growing divide within the party regarding U.S.-Israel relations.6711
“President Donald Trump has said Netanyahu would not be 'arrested, in any way, shape or form' while in the US, citing his fight against Iran. The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant in 2024, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity including starvation as a method of warfare.”
BBC
The Guardian
