New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that he is consulting with the city’s legal department to determine his legal authority to take action regarding the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, should he visit New York in September to participate in the United Nations General Assembly meetings.
In an interview with The New York Times, Mamdani called Netanyahu a “war criminal,” asserting that his rightful place is before the court in The Hague to answer for Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip.
The mayor of New York explained that he is exploring the possibility of executing the arrest warrant through the city’s police department, which falls under his jurisdiction.
Mamdani emphasized that any potential action would be contingent upon the legal framework and the powers granted to the city.
“We will do everything within the law in New York,” Mamdani added, stressing that his decisions will be based on what is permitted by applicable laws and legal jurisdictions.
The mayor’s remarks come amidst ongoing international legal and political debate regarding arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court and the obligations of various states and entities to enforce them.
