New York, Nov 20 (V7N) – Newly elected New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be subject to arrest if he visits the city, citing an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against Netanyahu for alleged attacks in Gaza.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani made the statement while addressing a live broadcast on New York City–based channel ABC7, emphasizing the city’s commitment to upholding international law. The ICC had issued an arrest warrant in 2024 accusing Netanyahu of intentionally targeting civilian populations in Gaza and employing starvation as a method of warfare.

Mamdani underscored that New York is a “city of international law” and that the ICC’s warrant must be respected regardless of the individual involved. “I have repeatedly said—this city is committed to international law. That means upholding the law. This warrant applies to Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin, and anyone else,” he stated.

The comments come shortly after outgoing Mayor Eric Adams met Netanyahu during his visit to Israel and invited him to Mamdani’s upcoming inauguration ceremony. Mamdani, who had taken a similar position during his election campaign, reiterated that he would act within the existing legal framework rather than creating new laws, distinguishing his approach from that of President Donald Trump.

However, legal experts note that the United States is not a member of the ICC, raising questions about the practical enforceability of such an arrest warrant on U.S. soil. Despite these challenges, Mamdani maintains that New York will seek all lawful avenues to ensure that the ICC’s directives are respected.

This announcement has attracted widespread attention both nationally and internationally, highlighting the complex intersection of municipal authority, international law, and global politics.

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