New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said the city does not have the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Speaking on the matter, Mamdani explained that the enforcement of international arrest warrants falls under the jurisdiction of the United States federal government and not municipal authorities such as New York City or the New York Police Department (NYPD).
The mayor noted that while the ICC’s actions have attracted significant international attention, New York City officials are responsible for enforcing local and state laws rather than executing international legal orders.
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other senior officials over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the conflict in Gaza. The Israeli government has strongly rejected the accusations, maintaining that the court lacks jurisdiction and describing the warrants as politically motivated.
The United States is not a member of the International Criminal Court and is not a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court. Consequently, enforcement of ICC warrants within the U.S. remains a matter for federal authorities and is subject to U.S. law and foreign policy considerations.
Mamdani’s remarks came in response to questions about whether New York City would detain Netanyahu should he visit the city. He reiterated that such decisions are beyond the powers of the mayor’s office and local law enforcement agencies.
The comments have sparked debate among legal experts and political observers, with some arguing that the mayor accurately described the limits of municipal authority, while others continue to call for greater international accountability in relation to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
As discussions over the ICC’s jurisdiction and the enforcement of its warrants continue, the issue is expected to remain a focal point in international legal and diplomatic circles.
