New York City does not have jurisdiction to execute ICC warrant for Netanyahu: Mayor Mamdani

New York City Mayor Zohrab Mamdani has said his administration does not have the legal authority to execute the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He called on the US federal government to step in and take action.

In a short video message posted on social media on Tuesday (July 21), Mamdani said, “Our administration has thoroughly reviewed under existing law whether New York City has any opportunity to execute the ICC arrest warrant if Benjamin Netanyahu comes here.”

He added, “It is now clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to execute this warrant. However, the federal government does have that power; I urge them to join the ICC and implement this warrant.’

The International Criminal Court (ICC) based in The Hague, Netherlands, said in 2024 that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu is responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Israeli military operation in Gaza following the deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

On the other hand, US President Donald Trump made a clear promise on Monday (July 20) that Netanyahu would not face any arrest if he attended the UN General Assembly session in New York next September.

In the video message, Mamdani also said, “Anyone with eyes, heart and conscience should realize the terrible destruction he (Netanyahu) has caused and understand that his place is in the court of justice—as I have said before.”

He added, “I agree with the ICC’s decision that Netanyahu should be arrested and tried for his crimes, just as I do with any other person indicted by the ICC.”

However, Netanyahu’s office rejected Mamdani’s statement and position and called the International Criminal Court (ICC) a “kangaroo court.”

Source: Al Arabiya