NYC Mayor Mamdani backs off promise to arrest Netanyahu

Published Jul 22, 02:41 AM UTC

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) on Tuesday retreated from his earlier pledge to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York in September for the United Nations General Assembly. Mamdani stated that the city lacks independent legal authority to enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Netanyahu. The reversal comes after Mamdani had previously vowed to use local law enforcement to detain the Israeli leader, drawing sharp political reactions. The mayor's office clarified that federal and international legal constraints prevent unilateral action by New York City authorities. Netanyahu's planned attendance at the UNGA has been a subject of controversy given the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and the ICC's warrant allegations.