NYC Mayor Urges Federal Authorities to Arrest Netanyahu on US Visit

TL/DR –

NYC Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, stated that he has no power to arrest Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, although he supports the international criminal court’s arrest warrant for alleged war crimes. He urged the US federal government to carry out the arrest if Netanyahu visits the US. Despite the mayor’s call, Netanyahu is still expected to attend the UN general assembly in New York in September.

NYC Mayor Urges Federal Authorities to Arrest Netanyahu

Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York, admitted on Tuesday he lacks the authority to arrest Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, but appeals to US federal authorities to do so if Netanyahu visits the US this year.

“Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal, responsible for a terrible genocide against the Palestinians,” Mamdani stated in a social media video.

Mamdani supports the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for Netanyahu over accused war crimes. However, he confessed his incapacity to enforce it.

“We’ve examined every option under law to see if New York City could perform the ICC’s arrest warrant if Netanyahu visited,” Mamdani said. “But it’s clear we don’t have the independent legal power to carry out this warrant.

“The federal government does, and I urge them to join the ICC and execute this warrant,” added Mamdani. “I need to be clear: Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal.”

Netanyahu is expected to visit New York in September for the UN General Assembly.

Mamdani was considering his ability to arrest Netanyahu during that visit last week, following the promise made during his mayoral campaign last year.

“I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague,” Mamdani referred to the Dutch city home to the ICC, which issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024.

The US does not acknowledge the ICC’s jurisdiction and is not a signatory.

Former president, Donald Trump, asserted that Netanyahu “will not be arrested” on US soil, and he sides with Netanyahu’s fight against Iran.

Netanyahu, however, isn’t concerned about Mamdani’s comments.

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