Israeli UN envoy blasts Mamdani as 'clown' over call to arrest Netanyahu: 'It's a stunt'

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stated that the city lacks the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. Mamdani, who previously reviewed the city's options, urged U.S. federal authorities to execute the warrant if Netanyahu visits New York for the UN General Assembly in September. Mamdani believes the ICC warrant is justified and referred to Netanyahu as a "war criminal." The U.S. does not recognize the ICC's authority. Former President Donald Trump criticized Mamdani's stance, asserting Netanyahu would not be arrested in the U.S. Netanyahu has reportedly stated he is "not concerned" about Mamdani's comments.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has retracted his pledge to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited the city, stating he lacks the necessary legal authority. Mamdani now urges U.S. authorities to act on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrant for Netanyahu, who faces allegations of war crimes. Mamdani's previous comments, made in an interview with the New York Times, indicated discussions with law enforcement about enforcing the warrant. However, his team concluded that New York City does not possess independent legal authority for such an action. The article notes that while an ICC member state could arrest Netanyahu, the U.S. is not an ICC member. Former President Donald Trump previously stated Netanyahu would not be arrested in the U.S.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated that the city lacks the independent legal authority to enforce an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mamdani urged the federal government to execute the warrant, calling Netanyahu a "war criminal" and declaring him unwelcome in New York. This statement follows Mamdani's earlier discussions about potentially arresting Netanyahu if he visits for the U.N. General Assembly in September. President Donald Trump previously asserted that Netanyahu would not be arrested in the U.S. The ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu and others in 2024, citing alleged crimes against humanity in connection with the war in Gaza, which Israeli officials deny. Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon criticized Mamdani's remarks.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stated he lacks the authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the city. Mamdani, who previously called Netanyahu a "war criminal" and "not welcome," is now urging the U.S. federal government to execute an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Netanyahu. He believes federal authorities have the power to enforce such warrants, especially if the U.S. were to join the ICC. Mamdani's stance has drawn criticism from pro-Israel officials, who dismiss his actions as political theater, while some pro-Palestinian advocates have mixed reactions. The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and others in 2024, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has responded forcefully to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's vow to explore arresting Netanyahu during an expected visit under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. Netanyahu's office accused Mamdani of attacking Israel to distract from his own record in New York, calling the ICC a "kangaroo court" with no jurisdiction over Israelis. They further claimed the ICC warrant was "bogus" and issued by a former prosecutor seeking to divert attention from allegations against him. Israel maintains it will ignore the ICC warrant while combating Hamas. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Democratic Senator John Fetterman criticized Mamdani's stance as political theater and reckless, with former Mayor Eric Adams warning of potential risks to Americans abroad.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. This statement came after Mayor Mamdani indicated he is considering whether to arrest the Israeli leader during an upcoming United Nations summit. Netanyahu's office, in an X post, advised Mamdani to concentrate on addressing issues within New York, suggesting his actions are an attempt to distract from his own policy failures. The office further alleged that Mamdani, similar to Karim Khan, seems focused on diverting public attention by targeting the leader of Israel and its democracy.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is exploring whether his administration has the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the city for the UN General Assembly in September. Mamdani stated he is in active conversation with the city's law department about this possibility, citing the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Mamdani believes Netanyahu is a war criminal and belongs in The Hague, where the ICC is located. Legal experts previously suggested such an arrest would be practically impossible and could conflict with the U.S. federal government, which does not recognize the ICC's authority. Netanyahu has dismissed the threat, and Israeli officials have criticized Mamdani's stance.