New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Tuesday that his office does not have the authority to execute an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He therefore urged United States federal officials to intervene. TASR informs about it according to AFP and AP agencies.

• New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has admitted that the city does not have the authority to execute an ICC warrant.
• Mamdani called on the federal government of the United States to execute the ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu.
• The International Criminal Court suspects Benjamin Netanyahu of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
• Mamdani negotiated with the city’s legal department about Netanyahu’s possible arrest during a visit to New York in September.
• US President Donald Trump has promised Netanyahu immunity, and Netanyahu rejects the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.

A challenge to the federal government

“My administration has reviewed all options available under current legislation to determine whether New York City could execute an ICC warrant if Benjamin Netanyahu were to come here,” Mamdani said in a video posted on social media.

“Obviously, we don’t have the independent authority to execute this warrant. But the federal government does, and that’s why I’m calling on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant,” the New York mayor said.

The 2024 ICC warrant and Mamdani’s harsh criticism

The International Criminal Court said in 2024 that Netanyahu is suspected of committing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip, which followed an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023, AFP explains.

“Everyone – with their eyes, their heart, their conscience – should recognize the destruction he has caused and understand that he belongs to justice… I agree with the International Criminal Court that Benjamin Netanyahu should be arrested and tried for his crimes, just like everyone else indicted by the ICC,” Mamdani added in the video.

Trump’s promise of immunity

Earlier this month, the mayor confirmed to the New York Times that he and the city’s legal department are negotiating to arrest Netanyahu in the event that he arrives in New York for the UN General Assembly in September, reports AP. However, American President Donald Trump promised on Monday that if the Israeli prime minister does so, he will not be arrested.

“At the same time, I want to make it clear that Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York, just like any other fugitive war criminal,” declared Mamdani.

Netanyahu’s office rejected the New York mayor’s position. Israel does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction and rejects allegations of war crimes in the Gaza Strip.