What’s behind the ICC investigation into Karim Khan?

Diplomats are meeting at the UN in New York to vote on the permanent removal of International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan. Khan was formally removed from his duties in June after an oversight body found he committed serious misconduct by engaging in a sexual relationship and attempting to prevent allegations. He denies these findings. Khan cannot attend the vote as he is barred from entering the US due to sanctions imposed by the Trump administration over the ICC's investigation into Israeli officials. The vote by the 125 member states of the Assembly of States Parties will determine his future. The allegations against Khan have become intertwined with the ICC's investigation into the war in Gaza, a decision that has drawn significant international backlash. Regardless of the vote's outcome, the process has caused divisions and strained the ICC.

Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon has strongly criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, calling him a "clown" for demanding federal authorities arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his upcoming visit to the city for the UN General Assembly in September. Mamdani accused Netanyahu of being a "war criminal" and the "architect of a horrific genocide" against Palestinians, urging the federal government to enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. Danon dismissed Mamdani's claims as a "stunt" and "baseless," asserting that the mayor should focus on local issues like homelessness and garbage, and that the US is not part of the ICC, rendering any warrant ineffective. Israeli officials deny all charges, with Netanyahu's office calling the ICC a "kangaroo court."

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 has released a video statement calling for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to face trial for war crimes. Mamdani's statement, made in his capacity as Mayor of New York City, asserts that Netanyahu is a war criminal. However, the article also notes that New York City cannot arrest him. The specific timing of the video statement is not provided in the content.

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 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.