Mamdani says NYC lacks authority to arrest Israeli PM Netanyahu

Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York City, has said the city lacks the authority to carry out the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but urged US federal authorities to do so should he visit the United States.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

"Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal," Mamdani said in a video statement posted to social media. "The architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people".

The ICC issued a warrant for the Israeli PM's arrest in November 2024, alleging responsibility for war crimes including "starvation as a method of warfare" and "intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population." It also accused Netanyahu of a number of crimes against humanity.

In his video address, Mamdani said he agreed with the ICC that Netanyahu should be arrested and put on trial. But after reviewing "every avenue available under applicable law," the mayor said his administration had determined it did not have the "independent legal authority to enforce this warrant."

"The federal government, however, does," he continued, adding: "I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant."

Netanyahu's office has dubbed the ICC a "kangaroo court" and called the warrant against the Israeli leader "bogus."

On Monday, US President Donald Trump said Netanyahu "will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America."

Netanyahu could attend the United Nations General Assembly summit in New York in September.

Mamdani, a Democrat, was elected as NYC mayor in November 2025, securing just over 50% of the vote.

Mamdani's bid for office centred on the cost-of-living crises. He vowed to freeze rent, make buses and childcare free, and to create city-owned grocery stores as part of his campaign.

Trump has been highly critical of Mamdani, branding him a "communist" and saying he was "destroying New York."