NYC Mayor Mamdani Considers Legal Options for Arresting Netanyahu
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stated that he is taking the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seriously. The warrant, issued on November 21, 2024, charges Netanyahu with war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict.
Mamdani, speaking on July 20, 2026, emphasized the gravity of the charges, labeling Netanyahu a "war criminal" and asserting that he "belongs in The Hague." The mayor is consulting with New York City's Law Department to determine the feasibility of arresting Netanyahu should he attend the United Nations General Assembly in September 2026.
Despite Mamdani's intentions, the United States is not a signatory to the ICC's Rome Statute, which complicates any local enforcement action. Legal experts have pointed out that such an arrest by the New York Police Department would be impractical and likely unlawful.
In response, Netanyahu's office dismissed the ICC warrant and Mamdani's efforts, calling the court a "kangaroo court" and asserting that it lacks jurisdiction over Israelis and Americans.