Mamdani walks back Netanyahu arrest pledge
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Washington: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said his administration cannot legally arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under an International Criminal Court warrant, stepping back from a campaign promise after a legal review found the city lacks the authority to act.
He nevertheless described Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and urged the federal government to enforce the warrant during Netanyahu’s expected visit to New York for the UN General Assembly in September.
Mamdani said his team reviewed all legal options and concluded the city cannot execute the ICC warrant on its own. He added that Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City and reiterated his support for the ICC’s case against him.
His comments came after President Donald Trump said Netanyahu would not be arrested while visiting the United States. Netanyahu’s office rejected the allegations and called the ICC a “kangaroo court,” according to reports.
(Inputs from IANS)