NYC Mayor Mamdani Calls Netanyahu a War Criminal, Cites ICC Arrest Warrant

During a televised conversation, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani labeled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal and the mastermind of a horrific genocide targeting Palestinians, citing the International Criminal Court’s 2024 arrest warrants that also name former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Mamdani recalled his campaign promise to have the NYPD arrest Netanyahu if he entered the city, but conceded that the mayor’s office lacks authority to execute an ICC warrant.

He called on the federal government to honor the court’s decision and uphold accountability. The comments were made ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, where Netanyahu will address the assembly, and after Mamdani’s meeting with The Hague Mayor Jan van Zanen, where they emphasized the importance of international law. Despite earlier encouragement of protests, Mamdani said he will not join the demonstrations planned for Netanyahu’s UN appearance.