Mamdani acknowledges lack of authority to arrest Netanyahu, urges federal action

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani acknowledged late Tuesday that his municipal administration lacks the legal authority to execute an international arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The admission follows a series of campaign pledges made throughout the previous year, during which the mayor asserted he would direct city police to detain the Israeli leader should he visit New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September.

In a video statement released across his social media platforms, Mamdani confirmed that his team had reviewed all available legal avenues and concluded the city could not enforce the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. Despite this, he reiterated his stance that the prime minister is a war criminal and is not welcome in New York City. During a Wednesday press conference, the mayor expanded on his position, stating that his interest in the matter was not restricted to a single individual, but applies to anyone who is the subject of an ICC warrant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. He further emphasized his view that while the city cannot end what he termed a genocide, it can decide whether its silence will become another weapon.

Related imagery

The mayor’s public reversal triggered a sharp divide in political response. Pro-Palestinian advocates expressed mixed reactions, with some praising the mayor for maintaining what they described as moral clarity, while others voiced disappointment that he could not fulfill his earlier campaign promise. Legal scholar Adil Haque defended the mayor’s efforts, noting that in the absence of legal power, the mayor is choosing to use his voice.

Conversely, the backlash from federal and international officials has been swift. Following the mayor’s announcement, President Donald Trump declared on Monday in a social media post that Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America. The president suggested that the only individuals subject to arrest should be those involved in the spiral of death and destruction linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Additionally, Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, issued a public rebuke via social media, telling the mayor: You were elected to serve New Yorkers, not Hamas’ propaganda. Do your job! Other critics, including U.S. Senator John Fetterman and U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz, characterized the mayor’s efforts as political theater.

The core of the dispute involves the validity of the ICC, an institution based in The Hague. The court issued warrants in 2024 for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, alleging crimes against humanity, including the use of starvation as a method of warfare, murder, and persecution. Israeli officials have consistently denied these charges. Neither the United States nor Israel are signatories to the treaty that established the court, and the U.S. Government has long opposed its authority. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has recently advocated for the dissolution of the court by pressuring other nations to withdraw their support.

Local political pressure continues to mount as well. Simcha Eichenstein, a New York state assemblymember, has requested that the state attorney general examine whether the mayor’s rhetoric regarding a foreign leader constitutes a violation of state law. Despite the criticism, Mamdani maintained during his Wednesday briefing that he respects the right of New Yorkers to protest, noting that if constituents feel frustration, it is a right he will always defend.

The primary point of contention remains the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September. For now, the mayor continues to urge the federal government to join the ICC and assume responsibility for executing the warrant.