Mamdani says NYC can't arrest Netanyahu, but federal officials should

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called on federal officials to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu after referring to the Israeli prime minister as a "war criminal."In a statement posted across the mayor's social media platforms Tuesday night, Mamdani said New York City would be unable to arrest Netanyahu after he directed city officials to look into legal pathways for his detainment if he visited.Instead, he called on the federal government to arrest him, despite the president posting earlier this week that "Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America.""Anyone, with their eyes, their heart, with their conscience, should recognize the devastation he has wrought and understand that he belongs before a court of law," Mamdani said."As I've said, I agree with the [International Criminal Court] that Benjamin Netanyahu should be arrested and tried for his crimes, as I do for anyone else charged by the ICC."Last week, Mamdani told the The New York Times the city's legal department was looking at options for Netanyahu's arrest in NYC ahead of his potential attendance to the United Nations' General Assembly in September.The ICC's warrant, issued in November 2024, accuses Netanyahu of war crimes and crimes against humanity as a result of Israel's military actions in Gaza. But the United States does not recognize the court, and protections are in place for leaders who visit the UN's New York City headquarters."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. The federal government, however, does."Mamdani then called on federal officials to execute the ICC's warrant. President Donald Trump - an ally of Netanyahu - wrote earlier this week Netanyahu would not be arrested during a visit to the U.S."Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large," Mamdani said."While we cannot end the genocide on our own, we can decide whether our silence will become another weapon."