Mamdani Admits New York Cannot Arrest Netanyahu
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has acknowledged a basic legal reality behind one of his most repeated campaign promises: City Hall cannot arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Mamdani made the admission in a video posted to X that drew more than 36 million views. He still called Netanyahu a war criminal and argued that the federal government should enforce an International Criminal Court warrant if Netanyahu visits New York.
The video quickly became a target for conservative critics. They accused Mamdani of promoting a dramatic foreign-policy message without having the authority to carry it out. The United States government does not recognize the ICC’s authority in this case, adding another hurdle to the mayor’s position.
Here is the video that started the latest debate:
https://x.com/NYCMayor/status/2079718073058091261?s=20
Mamdani has repeatedly said during his campaign and after taking office that he wanted Netanyahu arrested over what he describes as a genocide in Gaza. His latest remarks made clear that the city itself cannot execute the warrant.
Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders focused on what she described as a glaring omission in Mamdani’s position.
“Trying to find where Mamdani called for the arrest of the Hamas terrorists who plotted the October 7th attacks,” Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders posted on X. “Disgusting and Disgraceful.”
https://x.com/SarahHuckabee/status/2079831587852636446?s=20
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David M. Friedman also accused the mayor of repeating claims that unfairly target Israel while ignoring Hamas.
“This may be the most horrific package of lies against the State of Israel ever promoted by a government official,” former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David M. Friedman posted on X. “Even Hamas does not lie to this extent! It is despicable and entirely unbecoming a mayor of New York City. To those who voted for this Jew-hater, shame on you.”
https://x.com/DavidM_Friedman/status/2079736133521375517?s=20
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said Mamdani was seeking attention by singling out Netanyahu while avoiding the conduct of the terrorist group that began the war.
“Zohran Mamdani calling Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal is utterly ridiculous,” Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., posted on X. “The same crowd that rushes to condemn Israel never has much to say about the terrorists who started the war, massacred civilians, raped women, kidnapped children, and still hide behind their own people. Mamdani wants the headline that comes from attacking Netanyahu, not the consistency that comes with confronting Hamas.”
https://x.com/SenatorTimScott/status/2079772725204197481?s=20
New York City Republican Councilwoman Vickie Paladino went further, accusing Mamdani of using an official government account to promote what she called Hamas propaganda.
“The mayor of New York is just straight up promoting antisemitic blood libel courtesy of Hamas propaganda from an official government social media account tonight,” New York City Republican Councilwoman Vickie Paladino posted on X.
https://x.com/VickieforNYC/status/2079730586822836599?s=20
Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Mamdani’s own video confirmed that the mayor lacked the power he had been discussing.
“As I was saying… he doesn’t have the authority,” US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz posted on X. “More political theater.”
https://x.com/michaelgwaltz/status/2079745559414362488?s=20
Other critics said the mayor was focusing on international politics while New Yorkers faced problems closer to home.
“I had a dead homeless body in front of my apartment, but the mayor’s focused on playing Model UN,” Sam Raus, David Boaz Resident Writing Fellow at Young Voices, posted on X. “What a joke.”
https://x.com/SamRaus1/status/2079724758405374345?s=20
Political commentator Eyal Yakoby said the announcement was designed more for social media attention than for legal action.
“Zohran Mamdani admitted tonight that he has zero legal right to arrest Netanyahu,” political commentator Eyal Yakoby posted on X. “Like everything that he does, it was all just an act for clicks on social media.”
https://x.com/EYakoby/status/2079728670898377003?s=20
At a news conference the following day, Mamdani tried to broaden his argument. He said his interest was not limited to Netanyahu or Israel, but applied to anyone named in an ICC warrant for war crimes or crimes against humanity.
“my interest in executing that warrant is not specific to Benjamin Netanyahu, but to anyone who they put a warrant towards for war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
Mamdani also said Netanyahu would not receive a welcome from his administration.
“I want to be equally clear: Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large,” he said.
When asked what he would say to New Yorkers disappointed that the city could not arrest Netanyahu, Mamdani pointed to the right to protest.
“I’m simply saying that this is a city where, if anyone feels a level of frustration or opposition, protest is something that we will always respect,” Mamdani said. “I leave it to New Yorkers themselves to make that decision and when it comes to Palestinian New Yorkers who are disappointed, I understand it because we are talking about someone who has been charged with crimes against humanity, someone who has visited this city on many an occasion and who has be welcomed by previous mayor and I want to make it very clear that that welcome ends with me.”
The dispute now leaves Mamdani with a clear political message but no direct power to enforce it. His critics say that gap between campaign rhetoric and actual authority is precisely what turned the video into a national punchline.