New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is urging Washington to move against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling on the US government to arrest him in line with an International Criminal Court warrant.
Mamdani delivered the appeal in a video, pointing to a 2024 arrest warrant issued by the Hague-based ICC over alleged war crimes committed during the Gaza war.
Israel has rejected the court’s jurisdiction and denies committing war crimes.
In his remarks, Mamdani said his administration explored “every avenue available” under the law to determine whether New York City itself could carry out the arrest warrant.
He said that review found the city lacks the authority to enforce the ICC action.
“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.
“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.
“Anyone – with their eyes, with their heart, with their conscience – should recognise the devastation he has wrought and understand that he belongs before a court of law.
“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,” Mr Mamdani said.
The mayor’s call comes as Netanyahu, who traditionally travels to New York every September for the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly, remains a regular presence in the city during the UN’s high-level week.
President Donald Trump said the Israeli leader would not be arrested when he visited the United States.
Netanyahu’s office rejected Mamdani’s position, dismissing the ICC as a kangaroo court.
