Zohran Mamdani Urges US to Execute ICC Arrest Warrant Against Benjamin Netanyahu

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has urged the United States federal government to execute the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while reiterating that the Israeli leader remains unwelcome in the city. Speaking in a video statement, Mamdani disclosed that his administration recently completed a legal review to determine whether city law enforcement possessed independent authority to enforce the international warrant if Netanyahu visits New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September.

The review concluded that local officials lack the jurisdiction to execute ICC warrants independently, as foreign policy and international extradition matters rest under federal oversight. "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 warrant," Mamdani said. He added that Netanyahu is "not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large." ‘Egypt Were Robbed’, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani Takes Viral Dig at Argentina’s Controversial FIFA World Cup 2026 Win (Watch Video).

Mamdani reiterated his stance that Netanyahu should face trial in The Hague for alleged war crimes committed during the conflict in Gaza, while also criticizing U.S. military funding to Israel. The mayor’s statements drew immediate pushback from both federal and foreign officials. U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed the call for Netanyahu’s detention, posting on Truth Social that the Israeli Prime Minister "will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States."

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office also criticized Mamdani’s remarks, dismissing the ICC as a "kangaroo court" with no legal jurisdiction over Israel or the United States. The office accused Mamdani of focusing on international politics over city governance and defended Israel's military operations as necessary defense against Hamas. The legal standoff stems from arrest warrants issued by the ICC in November 2024 against Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. US Slaps Sanctions on ICC Judges Over Arrest Warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, France Expresses Dismay.

Because the U.S. is not a signatory to the Rome Statute—the treaty that established the ICC—it is under no international or domestic legal obligation to enforce the court’s arrest warrants.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 22, 2026 10:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).