Zohran Mamdani admits NYC cannot arrest Netanyahu, urges Trump to execute ICC warrants
Mamdani announced that he, as mayor, will not welcome Netanyahu in NYC
Published July 23, 2026
New York City (NYC) Mayor Zohran Kawame Mamdani has admitted that the city officials cannot order the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and execute the warrants issued by Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC), over the Israeli leader’s alleged war crimes.
This comes just days after the 34-year-old socialist-democrat announced that his administration was evaluating all the legal options to arrest the Israeli PM when he sets foot in NYC.
In a new video posted on his X account, Mamdani said that he agrees with the ICC, while admitting that NYC officials cannot arrest the alleged war criminal.
He said, “My administration has reviewed every avenue available under applicable law to determine whether NYC could execute the ICC arrest warrant, if Benjamin Netanyahu arrives here. It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant.”
He urged the Trump administration that since the federal government has authority over such matters, they should join the ICC and execute this warrant.
Mamdani also announced that he, as the mayor, will not welcome Netanyahu in NYC.
Earlier, the US President Donald Trump also announced that the Israeli leader will not be arrested on US soil as he hailed the Israeli PM, who is wanted by the ICC, for his partnership in the ongoing war against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
