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Zohran Mamdani has stated that his administration is analyzing legal options for implementing the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant, while US authorities emphasize that the legal obstacles are great.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said his administration is actively considering whether city authorities have the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he attends the United Nations General Assembly in September.
In an interview with The New York Times Magazine, Mamdani said the matter is under discussion with the city's legal department, but avoided repeating his previous promise to order Netanyahu's arrest.
" Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that's what we'll do ," he declared, reiterating his support for the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Mamdani called Netanyahu a "war criminal" and said his place is "in The Hague."
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu in November 2024 on charges related to war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza war. Israel has denied the charges and does not recognize the court's jurisdiction.
However, any attempt to enforce the order in New York would face significant legal hurdles. The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, and does not recognize its jurisdiction. Moreover, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has previously stated that the mayor does not have the authority to arrest Netanyahu.
In the same interview, Mamdani repeated the accusation that Israel is committing "genocide" in Gaza, a claim that Israel denies. He also said that American politicians' attitudes toward Israel are an important factor in his decisions on political support.
The mayor called for Democratic candidates to acknowledge the "consequences of American policy" in the Middle East and support restricting the transfer of certain American weapons to Israel.
Mamdani also revealed that he had a phone conversation with former Vice President Kamala Harris, who is reportedly considering a new run for president. He did not say whether Harris had accepted the policy changes he is seeking, but described the contact as an important step.
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