Mamdani says he doesn't have authority to arrest Netanyahu, but US government does

What Happened

On 22 July 2026, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated in a social media video that his administration lacks the independent legal authority to execute the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity in November 2024 over actions in Gaza. Mamdani called Netanyahu a war criminal and cited more than 73,000 people killed and tens of thousands of children maimed, while urging the US federal government to both join the ICC and enforce the warrant. His remarks came hours after President Donald Trump declared that Netanyahu 'will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America.' Mamdani said his office had reviewed every available legal avenue and concluded that New York City could not act, but insisted that the federal government possesses the authority. Netanyahu is expected to travel to New York in September for the United Nations General Assembly. Pro-Palestine activists Mohammed el-Kurd and Nerdeen Kiswani criticized Mamdani for only offering rhetoric and urged him to take tangible steps, such as investigating tax-exempt organisations funding Israeli settlements or ensuring that the NYPD does not shield Netanyahu from public protest.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The exchange underscores the clash between international justice mechanisms and the limitations imposed by national sovereignty and political alliances. Despite an ICC arrest warrant, one of Israel’s closest allies refuses to act, undermining the court’s ability to enforce accountability for alleged war crimes in Gaza. The debate also exposes domestic political pressure on local US officials to take a stance on Palestinian rights, reflecting broader tensions in US-Israel relations and the global push for compliance with international law.

Watch For

Whether Netanyahu actually visits New York in September for the UN General Assembly, and if so, how the city’s security apparatus interacts with his presence. Any concrete actions by Mayor Mamdani—such as legal efforts to restrict NYPD cooperation or probes into tax-exempt entities funding settlements—will signal how far local leaders are willing to go. Protests, legal challenges, and federal responses will also shape the narrative around the enforceability of ICC warrants on allied leaders on US soil.