New York City Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, acknowledged this Tuesday that his administration lacks the legal authority to execute the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, during the visit the leader has scheduled for September to participate in the United Nations General Assembly.
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The statement represents a change from his remarks last week, when he assured that he was willing to do everything allowed by city legislation to carry out the arrest and that this possibility was being analyzed by his legal advisors.
In a video released on social media, the mayor explained that his administration reviewed all available alternatives to determine if it could comply with the ICC order.
“As I have said, I agree with the ICC that Benjamin Netanyahu should be arrested and tried for his crimes, as should any other person accused by the ICC. My administration has reviewed all available legal avenues to determine if New York City could execute the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant if Benjamin Netanyahu were to come here,” he stated.
However, he added that “it is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this order.”
Despite this, Mamdani reiterated his criticism of the Israeli government leader and maintained that “Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal who is a fugitive”, while urging the US federal government, which does have such powers, to adhere to the ICC and execute the arrest warrant.
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In the same message, the mayor called Netanyahu “a war criminal, the architect of an atrocious genocide against the Palestinian people”, holding him responsible for the deaths and humanitarian crisis resulting from the Israeli offensive in Gaza. He also criticized Washington’s support for Israel and questioned why the United States continues to fund military operations.
Mamdani’s statements generated a quick response from Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, who assured that the prime minister would attend the General Assembly regardless.
“This will not change anything. The Israeli prime minister will come to New York, proudly address the United Nations General Assembly, and present himself to the world to expose the truth of Israel and its unwavering right to defend its citizens,” he stated.
US President, Donald Trump, also commented on the controversy on Monday, stating that Netanyahu “will not be arrested under any concept or circumstance while in the United States”, arguing that the Israeli leader “is a leader who is fighting against the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
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