NYC Mayor Admits Lack of Authority to Arrest Netanyahu, Still Calls Him 'War Criminal'

Mayor Zohran Mamdani conceded Tuesday night that he does not possess the independent legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York City. The admission came in a video statement posted to X, where Mamdani expressed frustration with the inability to enforce an International Criminal Court warrant against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza.

Mamdani, a self-described pro-Palestinian socialist, had previously stated his administration explored all available legal avenues to take Netanyahu into custody. The United States does not recognize the ICC warrant.

"It’s clear we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant," Mamdani stated. He confirmed that his administration cannot legally take Netanyahu into custody should the prime minister visit the city.

The mayor's stance shift followed criticism from former President Donald Trump, who posted on Truth Social Monday, asserting that Netanyahu would not be arrested in the United States. Netanyahu is slated to visit Manhattan in September for the United Nations General Assembly.

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon criticized Mamdani's earlier threats, calling them an attempt to "instigate, to incite" and stating Mamdani was elected to "serve New Yorkers, not Hamas’ propaganda." The Simon Wiesenthal Center also issued a statement, asserting Mamdani's remarks omitted any mention of Hamas or the Oct. 7 attacks, instead focusing on a "sweeping moral indictment of Israel."

Despite backing down from arrest efforts, Mamdani continued to label Netanyahu a "war criminal" and "the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people." During his campaign last year, Mamdani had vowed to have Netanyahu arrested if he visited New York. He reiterated this sentiment in a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times on Saturday, stating Netanyahu "belongs in The Hague."

Mamdani's wife, Rama Duwaji, has also faced scrutiny for social media activity, including alleged likes on posts praising Palestinian terror groups and questioning the severity of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks. Mamdani has defended his wife, referring to her as a private person and an artist. Mamdani admitted that arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not in his jurisdiction.