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Mamdani’s arrest pledge
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he does not have the independent legal authority to enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when Netanyahu arrives in September to attend the United Nations General Assembly in the city.
“The mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, has urged the United States federal government to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the country, in accordance with the arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in November 2024, labeling him a 'war criminal'”
Mamdani told reporters, “Mi oficina ha examinado todas las vías disponibles conforme a la ley aplicable para determinar si la ciudad de Nueva York puede ejecutar la orden de arresto de la Corte Penal Internacional si Benjamín Netanyahu viene aquí.”
He added that “Está claro que no tenemos la autoridad jurídica independiente para hacer cumplir esta orden,” but urged federal authorities to execute it.
USA Today reported that Mamdani emphasized protest rights in New York City, saying “one of the bedrocks of our city is protest” during a Wednesday press conference after a reporter asked what opponents should do if Netanyahu visits.
In parallel, the Guardian reported that Mamdani acknowledged he had no legal authority to direct New York police to arrest Netanyahu should he attend the United Nations general assembly in September.
Fetterman calls it theater
The dispute drew sharp criticism from pro-Israel voices, with the Washington Times reporting that Sen. John Fetterman tore into Mamdani over the mayor’s arrest threat and told him to “worry about potholes instead.”
Fetterman said, “That’s — it’s a joke and he’s a clown. … So, sit down, you know you’re a clown and you are just going to pander to the fringe,” in remarks on Fox News’ “Hannity.”
The Guardian described how Mamdani’s insistence that the U.S. government arrest Netanyahu was met with condemnation and ridicule from pro-Israel officials, including Fetterman calling the ICC “that corrupt court.”
In the same coverage, the Guardian quoted Mamdani rejecting arguments that Israel’s war crimes in Gaza have nothing to do with New York City, saying Israel’s actions in Gaza had “offended the conscience, the morals, the mere humanity of so many New Yorkers”.
The Times of Israel also reported that Mamdani took fire from Jewish lawmakers and from a leading anti-Zionist activist after admitting he cannot actually do what he promised.
Trump and Danon push back
As Mamdani urged federal action, President Donald Trump weighed in by taking to Truth Social, with Fox 5 New York reporting that Trump stated Netanyahu “will not be arrested in any way, shape or form while in the United States of America.”
“El alcalde de Nueva York, Zohran Mamdani, ha afirmado este martes en las redes que el primer ministro de Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, "no es bienvenido" en la ciudad”
Fox 5 New York also reported that Mamdani said, “The federal government, however, does,” and called on it to join the ICC and execute the warrant.
The Guardian reported that Trump “has already said he will do no such thing,” and quoted Trump’s position that Netanyahu “will not be arrested” on US soil.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told Fox News Digital that Mamdani’s demand was “a joke, and he's a clown,” adding “Everyone knows it's a show. It's a stunt,” after Mamdani called Netanyahu a “war criminal.”
The Guardian further reported that Mamdani’s remarks came less than 24 hours after he called Netanyahu “war criminal” and “not welcome in New York City” in a video statement posted on social media.
