Zohran Mamdani concedes New York City lacks the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani admitted Tuesday that the city does not have the independent legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This concession follows a campaign promise by Mamdani to enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against the Israeli leader, who faces charges of committing war crimes during the conflict in the Gaza Strip. Mamdani called on the federal government to take action, labeling Netanyahu a "war criminal" and the "architect of a horrific genocide." In response, President Trump stated on Truth Social that Netanyahu will not be arrested in any form while in the United States. The administration has historically not recognized the full authority of the International Criminal Court, as the U.S. is not a party to the treaty that created it. While Mamdani represents a growing wing of the Democratic Party that favors anti-Israel rhetoric, the administration maintains that Israel's actions are a matter of legitimate self-defense. The dispute highlights a growing ideological divide within the Democratic Party as it prepares for upcoming elections.