Mamdani Backs Away From Pledge to Arrest Netanyahu in New York

Washington–New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city lacks the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under an International Criminal Court warrant, reversing a pledge he repeatedly made during his mayoral campaign.

Mamdani said the decision followed a legal review by his administration. He nevertheless continued to describe Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and urged the Trump administration to arrest the Israeli leader during his anticipated visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September.

“My administration has reviewed every avenue available under applicable law to determine whether New York City could execute the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant if Benjamin Netanyahu came here,” Mamdani said in a video posted on X.

“It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant,” he added.

Mamdani said the federal government has the necessary authority and called on Washington to join the ICC and enforce its warrant. The United States is not a member of the court.

His announcement came one day after President Donald Trump said Netanyahu would not be detained during a visit to the United States.

“Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America,” Trump said in a Truth Social post Monday.

During his mayoral campaign, Mamdani repeatedly said he would order Netanyahu’s arrest if the Israeli leader traveled to New York. He recently told The New York Times Magazine that his administration was engaged in an “active conversation” with the city’s Law Department about whether the warrant could be enforced.

Despite the legal determination, Mamdani maintained his criticism of Netanyahu.

“Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal. The architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people,” he said.

“As I’ve said, I agree with the ICC that Benjamin Netanyahu should be arrested and tried for his crimes, as I do for anyone else charged by the ICC,” Mamdani added.

He also said Netanyahu remained unwelcome in New York.

“I want to be equally clear: Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large,” Mamdani said.

Netanyahu’s office rejected the allegations and criticized Mamdani.

“The ICC is a kangaroo court that has no jurisdiction over Americans or Israelis,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement posted on X. (Source: IANS)