Mamdani admits NYC cannot arrest Netanyahu, urges Washington to act

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, that his administration does not have the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stepping back from an earlier campaign pledge while urging federal authorities to enforce an international warrant instead.

In a video posted to social media, Mamdani said his office had reviewed every legal avenue available to determine whether New York City could execute the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrant against Netanyahu should he visit the city.

"It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant," Mamdani said, adding that the federal government does hold that power and calling on it to act.

Mamdani said Netanyahu was "not welcome" in New York City, describing him as a war criminal over Israel's military campaign in Gaza. He said he continued to support the ICC's position that Netanyahu should face trial.

Background

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on 21 November 2024, accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel's conduct during the Gaza war.

Neither Israel nor the United States has ratified the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the ICC, and both countries do not recognise the court's jurisdiction over their citizens or officials. The ICC nonetheless asserts jurisdiction over Palestinian territories, including Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, treating the state of Palestine as a party to the statute.

The Gaza war formally ended on 10 October 2025 following a US-backed peace plan. According to Brown University's Costs of War project, more than 73,000 Palestinians were killed during the conflict. The United Nations has separately reported widespread starvation, malnutrition and disease-related deaths linked to the war.

Mamdani had pledged during his mayoral campaign to arrest Netanyahu if he visited New York, and reiterated in a recent interview that his Law Department was in "an active conversation" over whether he could direct the New York Police Department (NYPD) to act. Netanyahu is expected to travel to New York in September for the United Nations General Assembly.

Reactions

US President Donald Trump rejected Mamdani's call on Monday, 20 July 2026, saying Netanyahu would not be arrested "in any way, shape, or form" while in the United States.

Trump said Netanyahu was "fighting against the Islamic Republic of Iran," which he accused of killing tens of thousands of protesters, and argued that Iranian leaders, rather than Netanyahu, should face arrest over the recent escalation between Israel and Iran.

Netanyahu dismissed Mamdani's remarks, saying he was "not concerned" and suggesting the mayor did not recognise the consequences of aligning with critics of Israel and the United States.

Mamdani's advocacy for Palestinian rights featured prominently in his mayoral campaign, drawing criticism from some lawmakers, including fellow Democrats, at the national level. His latest remarks are likely to renew that debate ahead of Netanyahu's anticipated visit in September.

Online reaction to Mamdani's video

Mamdani's video drew a large volume of comments within hours of posting, with the great majority expressing support for his remarks on Netanyahu.

Commenters repeatedly praised what they described as the mayor's "moral clarity" and willingness to speak plainly about the Gaza war, with many framing his remarks as unusual for an elected official in the United States.

One commenter wrote that the mayor was "hitting the presidential aura than the actual president," while another said it was "the boldest thing I've witnessed an American politician do." A number of commenters, identifying themselves as based outside New York City, or outside the United States entirely, said they nonetheless regarded Mamdani as "my mayor."

Several commenters linked their support to Mamdani's acknowledgment that his administration lacked legal authority to act, saying they appreciated the honesty. One wrote that they appreciated him "admitting that he can't do anything" while still "speaking up for his people and people at large."

A recurring theme among commenters was concern for Mamdani's personal safety. Multiple users urged others to "protect" the mayor, and several made pointed remarks stating that Mamdani was "not suicidal," an apparent reference to fears of retaliation.