New York Mayor States City Lacks Authority to Enforce ICC Arrest Warrant Against Netanyahu

New York. New York Mayor Johran Mamdani has clarified that the city of New York does not have the independent legal authority to enforce the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that the US federal government must take the necessary steps.

In a video message released through social media, Mayor Mamdani informed that his administration reviewed all aspects of the applicable laws regarding whether the ICC arrest warrant could be enforced if Netanyahu came to New York. During this, he stated that they concluded that the city of New York does not have the independent legal authority to enforce the arrest warrant.

He mentioned that the federal government has such authority and urged the United States to cooperate with the ICC and enforce the arrest warrant.

The ICC, based in The Hague, had issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu, believing there were sufficient grounds to hold him responsible for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza war in 2024. This case is related to the military action conducted by Israel in Gaza following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump assured on Monday that Netanyahu would not face arrest if he attends the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.

In the video message, Mayor Mamdani said that the world must take the destruction in Gaza seriously and stated that he is in favor of arresting Netanyahu and proceeding with legal action according to the charges, in line with the ICC's stance. He expressed the view that the same legal standards should apply to all other individuals accused by the ICC.

On the other hand, Netanyahu's office rejected Mayor Mamdani's statement, calling the ICC a 'kangaroo court'.