New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated late Tuesday that the city is unable to carry out an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but called on the federal government to take action.
Mamdani referred to Netanyahu as a 'war criminal' during his remarks. The ICC, the world's top court for war crimes, had issued the warrant for Netanyahu. However, the mayor acknowledged that New York City has no legal authority to enforce such a warrant, as international arrest warrants are typically executed by national governments.
Instead, Mamdani urged the U.S. federal government to act on the ICC's warrant. He did not specify what steps he believes Washington should take. The mayor's comments have drawn attention to the international legal action against Netanyahu, though the practical implications remain unclear.
The ICC warrant is part of ongoing investigations into actions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The United States is not a member of the ICC and has previously rejected the court's jurisdiction over its citizens and allies. As a result, it is uncertain whether the federal government will respond to the mayor's call.
Mamdani's statement adds to the political debate surrounding the ICC's actions. For now, the city continues to operate without the ability to enforce the warrant, leaving the matter in the hands of national authorities.