New York City Mayor Urges US to Support ICC in Arresting Netanyahu

Istanbul (ANTARA) - New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has urged the United States federal government to support the International Criminal Court (ICC) and arrest Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu. “The US government has the ability to join the International Criminal Court and execute that warrant, and that is something I would like to see happen,” Mamdani told reporters on Wednesday (22/7). He made the statement after asking the city government to review all applicable laws regarding the ICC warrant. Although the New York government does not have the independent authority to enforce the warrant, Mamdani said he believes the federal government can facilitate Netanyahu’s arrest. The ICC issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Chief Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Mamdani recently referred to Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and said the Israeli leader is not welcome in New York. Mamdani also stated that, as an American, he believes the US is responsible for the loss of life in Gaza because its citizens help “pay for the bombs that cause their deaths.” Mamdani’s call stands in stark contrast to the position of US President Donald Trump, who on Monday (20/7) affirmed that Netanyahu “will not be arrested” while in the US.