NEW YORK | July 22, 2026
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has acknowledged that the city does not have the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite previously expressing support for enforcing an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against the Israeli leader. However, Mamdani called on the U.S. federal government to take action if Netanyahu visits the United States.
The mayor made the remarks in a video statement released on social media after his office completed a legal review of the city’s authority regarding the ICC warrant. His comments come ahead of Netanyahu’s expected visit to New York in September for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Legal Authority Rests with the Federal Government
Mamdani said his administration had examined every possible legal avenue to determine whether New York City could execute the ICC arrest warrant. He concluded that municipal authorities lack the independent legal power to carry out such an arrest.
Despite that conclusion, the mayor argued that the federal government should uphold international legal obligations and take responsibility if Netanyahu enters the country. He reiterated his belief that the ICC warrant should be taken seriously and described the Israeli prime minister as unwelcome in New York.
Background to the ICC Warrant
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity connected to the conflict in Gaza. Israeli officials have strongly rejected the allegations, while the United States has consistently maintained that it does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction over Israel because neither country is a party to the Rome Statute.
The warrants have nevertheless complicated Netanyahu’s international travel, particularly to countries that are ICC members and are generally expected to cooperate with the court under the Rome Statute.
Trump Offers Public Assurance
Mamdani’s latest statement comes shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly declared that Netanyahu “will not be arrested” while visiting the United States.
Trump’s comments underscored his administration’s continued support for Israel and its rejection of any attempt to enforce the ICC warrant against the Israeli leader during an official visit.
Political Reactions
The issue has intensified political debate in both the United States and Israel.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon criticized Mamdani’s remarks, accusing the mayor of promoting anti-Israel narratives and questioning why a city official was weighing in on international legal matters. Supporters of Mamdani, meanwhile, argue that public officials have a responsibility to support international accountability mechanisms and respect the ICC’s decisions.
Legal experts also note that foreign policy and international law enforcement generally fall under federal jurisdiction, limiting the authority of municipal governments such as New York City.
Looking Ahead
Netanyahu is expected to attend the United Nations General Assembly later this year, but questions surrounding the ICC warrant continue to attract international attention.
While Mamdani has acknowledged that New York City cannot execute the arrest warrant, his call for federal action has kept the issue in the spotlight. The episode highlights the ongoing legal and diplomatic tensions surrounding the ICC, international accountability, and the limits of local government authority in matters of foreign policy.
