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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has reiterated demands for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he enters the United States, calling him the “architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people.”
Mamdani acknowledged that New York City lacks the independent legal authority to enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. However, he urged the U.S. federal government to join the ICC and execute the warrant when Netanyahu visits New York in September for the U.N. General Assembly.
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024, alleging war crimes, including starvation as a method of warfare, and crimes against humanity. Netanyahu has denied all allegations, describing the court’s actions as “antisemitic.”
Mamdani’s renewed call drew immediate criticism from diplomatic and congressional leaders. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations rejected the mayor’s remarks, accusing Mamdani of antisemitism and supporting Hamas. Israel has consistently denied accusations of genocide and dismissed related U.N. reports as “grossly distorted.”
President Donald Trump also addressed the issue, posting on Truth Social that Netanyahu “will not be arrested in any way, shape, or form while in the United States of America.” Trump stated that the Israeli leader is fighting against Iran, citing the regime’s historic acts of violence against U.S. personnel and domestic protesters.
In an interview with broadcaster Greta Van Susteren, Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman pushed back against Mamdani, characterizing the statements as political posturing intended to gain publicity.
“He’s a total clown,” Fetterman said. “He has the authority to arrest Netanyahu any more than I would have the authority to arrest him if he visited Washington, D.C.”
Fetterman urged the mayor to focus on local city administration rather than international relations. “You’re a mayor, dude. Pick up trash, fix some potholes, and really fix the homeless problem in your city. You’re way out of your league,” Fetterman said, calling the threats “irresponsible” and stating that local law enforcement acts on legal warrants rather than mayoral directives.
“The mayor does not direct arrests. The police enforce warrants. There is not a warrant. America is not part of the ICC,” Fetterman noted, adding that Mamdani has “no standing” on the matter.
Fetterman also addressed broader political divisions inside Congress regarding foreign policy toward Israel, noting rising opposition within Democratic caucuses to military assistance packages. Commenting on the conflict’s origins, Fetterman pointed to graphic bodycam footage captured by Hamas militants during the October 7 attacks, stating that critics of Israel often refuse to watch the recordings.
“They won’t watch it,” Fetterman said. “If they watched that, they would have to confront what those animals really are and what they’ve done.”
Netanyahu is expected to travel to New York in September to address world leaders at the United Nations headquarters, where host-country agreements and diplomatic immunity protocols apply.
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NYC Mayor Mamdani Urges Fed Action To Arrest Netanyahu, Draws Backlash From Fetterman
