International | Israel

Mamdani: I do not have authority to arrest Netanyahu, federal government must act

New York mayor affirmed that the Israeli prime minister and all others accused of war crimes have no place in the city

Emirhan Demir, Ahmet Kartal

July 22, 2026 • Updated: July 22, 2026

ANKARA

Ankara / Anadolu

New York City Mayor Zahran Mamdani confirmed on Wednesday that he does not have the legal authority to execute the arrest warrant issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the city to attend the United Nations General Assembly meetings in September, and called on the federal government to take this step.

In a video posted on the American company X platform, Mamdani said that Netanyahu is accused of committing war crimes, holding him responsible for the "genocide" that has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

He pointed to the targeting of children and hospitals in the Gaza Strip, the blockade on food, and the killing of humanitarian workers and journalists, adding: 'The bombs that kill people are funded by American taxpayers' money.'

Israel has been besieging the Gaza Strip since 2007, and about 1.5 million Palestinians out of approximately 2.4 million in the strip have become homeless in catastrophic conditions after the genocide war destroyed their homes.

A ceasefire agreement was reached last October after more than two years of genocide that Israel began in October 2023, with American support, resulting in over 73,000 Palestinian dead and more than 173,000 wounded.

Despite the agreement, Israel continues the genocide through the blockade and daily shelling that results in casualties, and it prevents the entry of sufficient quantities of food, medicine, medical supplies, and shelter materials.

Mamdani explained that New York City authorities have examined all legal avenues regarding the execution of the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, but they do not have independent authority to execute it.

He added: 'The federal government has this authority, and I call on it to join the International Criminal Court and execute the warrant.'

He stressed that Netanyahu and all other accused of war crimes have no place in New York City.

On Saturday, Mamdani said his administration is examining whether it has the authority to arrest Netanyahu if he visits the city to attend the United Nations General Assembly meetings in September.

The New York Times quoted Mamdani as saying that his administration is having 'active discussions' with the city's legal counsel on the matter.

Mamdani had previously announced during his 2025 election campaign his intention to order the New York Police Department to arrest Netanyahu if he visits the city, based on the ICC arrest warrant.

Mamdani also said in previous statements that he believes 'Netanyahu's place is in The Hague,' the seat of the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands, describing him as a 'war criminal.'

On November 21, 2024, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, citing reasonable grounds to believe he is responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The charges include using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, as well as murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.