Mamdani argues NYC cannot enforce ICC warrant for Netanyahu
"As I've said, I agree with the ICC that Benjamin Netanyahu should be arrested and tried for his crimes, as I do for anyone else charged by the ICC. My administration has reviewed every avenue available under applicable law to determine whether New York City could execute the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant if Benjamin Netanyahu came here. It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant."
About this episode
This short episode consists of a single excerpt of remarks from Zohran Mamdani, presented on Brian Tyler Cohen’s channel, focused on Benjamin Netanyahu and the war in Gaza. Mamdani describes Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and alleges a “genocide against the Palestinian people”, citing figures and examples including mass deaths, children undergoing amputations, attacks on medical facilities, starvation linked to restrictions on humanitarian aid, and the killing of aid workers and journalists. He also references the United Nations as having confirmed that Palestinian children continued to be “deliberately targeted and killed” by Israeli forces months after what he calls a “so-called ceasefire”.
The most specific policy claim in the excerpt concerns enforcement: Mamdani says an International Criminal Court warrant exists for Netanyahu’s arrest and that his administration reviewed “every avenue” to determine whether New York City could execute it if Netanyahu entered the city. He states it is “clear” the city lacks independent legal authority to enforce the warrant, and calls on the federal government—whom he says does have that authority—to join the ICC and execute it. He adds that Netanyahu is “not welcome in New York City” and says local officials can choose whether “silence will become another weapon” even if they cannot, on their own, end the war.
Key takeaways
- Mamdani calls Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” and alleges he is responsible for mass civilian harm in Gaza.
- He cites the ICC as having issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and says he agrees he should be “arrested and tried”.
- Mamdani says his administration reviewed whether New York City could enforce the ICC warrant and concluded it cannot do so independently.
- He calls on the federal government to execute the warrant, saying it has the relevant authority.
- He says Netanyahu is “not welcome in New York City” and urges using available local tools to defend “humanity and dignity” of all people.