Mamdani says he can’t arrest Netanyahu but urges Trump to do so
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that his office cannot arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his planned visit for the UN general Assembly, citing a lack of legal authority. He urged President Trump to enforce the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against Netanyahu, whom Mamdani criticized as a war criminal responsible for numerous alleged crimes in Gaza, including killing Palestinians and targeting hospitals. Mamdani had initially considered having Netanyahu arrested but retracted that plan after reviewing legal options. Despite his stance, Mamdani emphasized that Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City. the ICC charges Netanyahu with war crimes and crimes against humanity, which he denies. While Mamdani’s efforts highlight growing anti-Israel sentiment in U.S. politics-such as some Democrats supporting cutting military aid to Israel-there is little indication that the U.S. government would execute the ICC warrant, especially under Trump’s management, which publicly defended Netanyahu.The article also notes rising socialist candidates in upcoming elections who oppose Israel, reflecting shifting political attitudes.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on Tuesday that his office lacks the power to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visits the Big Apple later this year but urged President Donald Trump to carry out the International Criminal Court‘s warrant.
In a two-minute video posted to social media, Mamdani backed down from his plans to have Netanyahu arrested during a trip to New York City for the U.N.’s annual meeting in September.
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“My administration has reviewed every avenue available under applicable law to determine whether New York City could execute the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant if Benjamin Netanyahu came here,” Mamdani said. “It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant. The federal government, however, does, and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this one. And I want to be equally clear: Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large.”
Mamdani, a socialist and critic of Israel, called Netanyahu an “architect of genocide” and cited what he alleged were crimes committed by the Israeli prime minister in Gaza, including the killing of thousands of Palestinians, withholding humanitarian aid, and targeting hospitals.
“Anyone, with their eyes, with their heart, with their conscience, should recognize the devastation he has wrought and understand that he belongs before a court of law,” he said.
The ICC’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu charges him with allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which Netanyahu strongly rejects.
While it is unlikely Trump would grant Mamdani’s request, it is even more doubtful the president would carry out a warrant from the ICC, as it is not held in high regard by the United States. Following Mamdani’s pledge to arrest Netanyahu, Trump jumped to the prime minister’s defense on social media.
“He is fighting against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which recently killed 52,000 innocent protestors, and has spent the last 47 years killing American Soldiers, and others,” Trump said. “The only ones that should be arrested are the people that led Iran into this unprecedented SPIRAL OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION, something that should have been dealt with years ago, by previous Presidents!”
HERE’S WHY MAMDANI CAN’T ARREST NETANYAHU DESPITE SUGGESTING OTHERWISE
Although Mamdani backed down, anti-Israel sentiment is spreading in Congress. Last week, over half of House Democrats voted to block long-standing U.S. aid to Israel, favoring an amendment sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) to cut off all military assistance to the country.
Mamdani-minded socialists are also on the rise in the 2026 elections, with a handful of candidates having won in Democratic primaries across the country with platforms staunchly against Israel.
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