New York mayor says city lacks power to enforce ICC warrant against Netanyahu

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani says the city does not have the legal authority to enforce the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

 

In a video posted on social media on Tuesday, Mamdani said his administration had reviewed all available legal options and concluded that New York City could not independently execute the warrant.

 

He, however, called on the United States federal government to enforce the warrant if Netanyahu visits New York.

 

The ICC issued the warrant in 2024, saying it had reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu was responsible for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.

 

Mamdani said he supports the ICC’s position, adding that anyone charged by the court should face trial.

 

His comments came a day after US President Donald Trump said Netanyahu would not face arrest if he attends the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.

 

Netanyahu’s office has rejected the allegations, describing the ICC as a “kangaroo court.”