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New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani renewed his criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His comments came as Netanyahu prepares to visit New York.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has renewed his criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him a “war criminal” as the Israeli leader prepares to travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
In an interview with CNN on Monday, Mamdani said he continued to believe Netanyahu should face arrest over allegations arising from Israel’s war in Gaza. The mayor’s comments followed a meeting with President Donald Trump in New York, where the two discussed city issues and other matters but have significant differences over the Israeli government and the Gaza conflict.
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024, alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity connected to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Netanyahu and the Israeli government reject the allegations and have challenged the ICC’s jurisdiction. The United States and Israel are not parties to the Rome Statute, which established the court.
Mamdani previously explored whether New York City could enforce the ICC warrant if Netanyahu entered the city. In July, however, his administration said the city did not have independent legal authority to enforce the warrant. Reuters reported that legal experts cited federal authority over foreign relations and protections generally afforded to foreign heads of state and U.N. representatives as key obstacles to a New York arrest.
Netanyahu is expected in New York this week to address the U.N. General Assembly, where world leaders are gathering for the annual high-level session. Mamdani has said he would not participate in planned protests against Netanyahu but has defended the right of people to demonstrate. CNN reported that the mayor has acknowledged that the New York Police Department does not have authority to carry out the ICC warrant independently.
The renewed dispute places Mamdani’s local role in New York alongside an international legal and diplomatic issue. While the mayor has continued to publicly criticize Netanyahu, the legal authority to enforce the ICC warrant remains outside the independent powers of New York City, according to the city’s earlier legal review and outside legal analysis.
Sources: CNN, Reuters, Associated Press and The New York Times.