New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani acknowledged on Tuesday that he does not possess the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the city later this year. However, Mamdani urged U.S. federal authorities to take action should Netanyahu travel to the United States.

In a social media video, Mamdani described Netanyahu as "a war criminal" and accused him of orchestrating "a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people." The mayor expressed support for the international criminal court's (ICC) arrest warrant issued for Netanyahu in 2024 on allegations of war crimes. Despite his stance, Mamdani confirmed that New York City lacks jurisdiction to enforce the ICC warrant.

"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," Mamdani said. "It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant." He added that the federal government does hold such authority and called on it to "join the ICC and execute this warrant."

Netanyahu is expected to be in New York in September for the United Nations General Assembly, prompting Mamdani to revisit his earlier campaign promise to arrest the Israeli leader during his visit. The ICC warrant calls for Netanyahu's arrest on alleged war crimes, but the United States does not recognize the tribunal's jurisdiction and is not a signatory to the ICC.

Mamdani reiterated his belief that Netanyahu should face justice at The Hague, where the ICC is based. He emphasized the need for federal intervention, given local authorities’ limited powers in this matter. The situation highlights the complex legal and diplomatic challenges surrounding the enforcement of international arrest warrants on foreign leaders visiting the United States.