Zohran Mamdani calls Netanyahu a war criminal but lacks arrest authority

Zohran Mamdani Benjamin Netanyahu International Criminal Court UN General Assembly Gaza war

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has reiterated his condemnation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling him a ‘war criminal’ and the ‘architect of a horrific genocide’ in Gaza. The remarks come ahead of Netanyahu’s scheduled address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

During a CNN interview, Mamdani addressed his previous campaign promise to seek Netanyahu’s arrest based on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant issued in November 2024. However, the Mayor acknowledged that after a legal review by his administration, the city lacks the independent legal authority to enforce the ICC warrant. Consequently, Mamdani has called upon the federal government to take responsibility for any potential arrest.

While the Mayor stated that Netanyahu is not welcome in the city, he noted that citizens have the right to protest. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump recently met with Mamdani at Gracie Mansion. Trump has indicated that Netanyahu will not be arrested during his visit to the United States. Israel continues to reject the ICC's jurisdiction and the allegations of war crimes.

Entities

Benjamin Netanyahu · Donald Trump · International Criminal Court · New York City · United Nations · Zohran Mamdani

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] Zohran Mamdani called Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal and the architect of genocide. communistusa.org · opserver.mk · skopskoeho.mk · vinnews.com · worldisraelnews.com · +1 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Israeli authorities deny the ICC charges and dispute the court's jurisdiction. opserver.mk · skopskoeho.mk · vinnews.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] President Donald Trump stated that Netanyahu will not be arrested while in the United States. vinnews.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The New York City administration concluded that the city lacks the legal authority to execute the International Criminal Court arrest warrant. opserver.mk · skopskoeho.mk · vinnews.com · worldisraelnews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Mayor Mamdani called on the federal government to carry out the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu. communistusa.org · opserver.mk · skopskoeho.mk
[● 4 SOURCES] The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu in November 2024 for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. opserver.mk · skopskoeho.mk · vinnews.com · worldisraelnews.com