Mamdani goes back on campaign promise, says NYC can’t arrest Netanyahu

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New York City MayorZohran Mamdani acknowledged Tuesday that he can’t have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested despite promising to do so during his mayoral campaign.

But he called on the federal government to execute an International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant if the Israeli leader visits New York.

In a video posted on X, Mamdani called Netanyahu a “war criminal” while conceding that New York City could not enforce the ICC warrant on its own.

“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 said.

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city lacks the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but urged the federal government to execute an International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant.(Reuters/Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani via X)

“My administration has reviewed every avenue available under applicable law to determine whether New York City could execute the InternationalCriminal Court’s arrest warrantif Benjamin Netanyahu came here,” he continued.

“It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant.The federal government, however, does, and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant.”

Mamdani’s comments underscored that a New York City mayor lacks the authority to enforce an International Criminal Court warrant or create a New York arrest warrant by executive order.

Mamdani nonetheless said Netanyahu would not be welcome in New York City.

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

The remarks marked a reversal from Mamdani’s 2025 campaign pledge that New York City would arrest Netanyahu if the Israeli prime minister came to New York.

Mamdani’s comments came two days after he told TheNew York Timesthat the city’s Law Department was reviewing whether New York had the legal authority to arrest Netanyahu if he visited the city.

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Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a news conference in Jerusalem.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said his administration is exploring whether the city has legal authority to arrest Netanyahu if he visits for the U.N.General Assembly.(Ronen Zvulun/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Netanyahu is expected to travel to New York in September for the United Nations General Assembly.

“I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague,” Mamdani told the Times.“He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court.”

Netanyahu’s office dismissed the comments Sunday, calling the ICC a “kangaroo court” with “no jurisdiction over Americans or Israelis.”

“Instead of backing Khan’s criminal behaviour, Mr.Mamdani should focus on fixing the damage his policies have caused New York,” Netanyahu’s office said.

TheICC issued arrest warrantsfor Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity tied to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

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