New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani acknowledged on Tuesday that his administration does not have the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The mayor had previously stated he was reviewing the ability to execute an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court if the Israeli leader visits the US to attend the UN General Assembly in September.
Despite the lack of city authority, Mamdani urged US federal authorities to arrest Netanyahu, calling him a war criminal and the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people. The Democratic mayor, who had pledged since his campaign to detain the prime minister, challenged the federal government to ensure that Netanyahu be tried for war crimes by the International Criminal Court.
Benjamin Netanyahu denies the international charges of war crimes. His office has dismissed Mamdani's stance and described the ICC as a kangaroo court, labeling the arrest warrant against the Israeli leader as bogus.