New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be arrested if he visits New York, citing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), while acknowledging he would not seek to change city or state laws to enable such a move.
“Netanyahu should be arrested if he comes to New York City,” Mamdani, a Democratic candidate for mayor and New York State Assembly member, said in a recent interview. He added that while he had discussed the issue, “I’m not going to rewrite the laws.”
Mamdani said he believed international law should be respected but acknowledged that enforcing ICC arrest warrants in the United States presents legal complexities.
The ICC issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Israel rejects the ICC’s jurisdiction and has strongly denied the allegations, describing the warrants as politically motivated. Israeli officials say the country’s judicial system is capable of investigating allegations involving its political and military leadership.
Mamdani’s comments come as the race for New York City mayor gathers pace. His campaign has focused on issues including human rights, immigration and international justice.
His remarks have drawn mixed reactions. Supporters say they reflect a commitment to international accountability, while critics argue that municipal authorities have no jurisdiction to enforce ICC warrants and that such comments risk drawing local officials into matters of foreign policy.
Netanyahu has dismissed the ICC’s actions as illegitimate and accused the court of bias against Israel.
The Israel-Gaza conflict remains a politically sensitive issue in the United States, where it continues to shape domestic political debate.
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