New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has retracted his earlier promise to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the city, stating he lacks the authority to enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.
In a social media video, Mamdani shifted focus to urging U.S. authorities to act on the ICC’s warrant, which alleges war crimes against Netanyahu. While Netanyahu could face arrest if traveling to an ICC member state, the U.S. is not a party to the Rome Statute, limiting direct enforcement by local law enforcement.
U.S. President Donald Trump previously stated Netanyahu would not face arrest in America, emphasizing his support for Israel amid its conflict with Iran. Trump described Mamdani’s stance as counterproductive, noting Iran’s actions against protesters and U.S. personnel.
Mamdani acknowledged the federal government’s role in pursuing the ICC warrant and called on Washington to cooperate with international efforts. He reiterated that Netanyahu’s visit to New York for the UN General Assembly in September should not occur, citing security concerns.
The ICC issued its warrant in 2024 alongside a Hamas commander’s arrest order. Its jurisdiction applies to genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in member states. During his mayoral campaign, Mamdani labeled Netanyahu a war criminal and framed the Gaza conflict as genocide, promising to enforce the ICC ruling if Netanyahu arrived in New York.
Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon criticized Mamdani’s position as aligning with “Hamas’ propaganda,” urging the mayor to prioritize New Yorkers’ interests over foreign narratives.
