New York City Lacks Authority to Arrest Netanyahu, Says Mayor Mamdani

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated on Wednesday that his administration lacks the authority to enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu. Mamdani had previously indicated he was investigating the legality of arresting the Israeli premier should he visit New York for the UN General Assembly in September, citing the ICC’s war crimes allegations. In a video message posted on X, Mamdani confirmed that the city had reviewed every available legal avenue and concluded it has no independent legal authority to execute the warrant. The mayor has called on the US federal government to enforce the ICC warrant. The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 over alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip. US President Donald Trump has refused to arrest the Israeli leader on American soil.