New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani acknowledged that after thoroughly examining all legal avenues, the city has no means to enforce the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to reports. The admission marks a reversal from his earlier threats to use legal authority to arrest Netanyahu during the upcoming UN General Assembly.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani admitted Wednesday that the city has no legal authority to enforce the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a report. The admission, which effectively reverses his earlier threats to use any legal means to arrest Netanyahu during the upcoming UN General Assembly, comes after a day of rapid reversals and escalating rhetoric.
As The Zioneer reported Tuesday evening, Mamdani first defended the ICC warrant push, saying city lawyers were reviewing his authority. By 21:53 Jerusalem, he had issued multiple statements—first acknowledging he had no authority, then calling on the federal government to act, and later releasing a video in which he repeated the admission while calling Netanyahu a 'war criminal' and an 'architect of genocide.' The US ambassador to the UN had previously dismissed the arrest threat as 'political theater,' and Israeli officials said Mamdani had no authority to enforce the warrant.
The ICC warrant itself remains contested by the United States, which is not a party to the court. As The Zioneer reported, US Attorney General Todd Blanche sent a formal letter to the ICC rejecting its jurisdiction, and the federal government has indicated no willingness to enforce the warrant.
Mamdani's latest statement does not address whether he will pursue legislative changes or coordinate with other jurisdictions. The federal government has not commented on the warrant since the mayor's admission.
7 developments
- StrongIsraeli officials dismiss Mamdani's arrest threat against Netanyahu; Danon says he should be arrested
- StrongNYC Mayor Mamdani: Netanyahu is a 'war criminal,' should be in The Hague — but no new laws
- StrongTrump reportedly rejects NYC mayor's threat to arrest Netanyahu during UN visit
- DevelopingTimes of Israel: Mamdani's arrest threat against Netanyahu would boost both men's political brands
Source and signal
- Internal intake