New York City mayor calls Netanyahu ‘war criminal,’ urges US to enforce ICC arrest warrant

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” and urged the US government to enforce an arrest warrant against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) if he enters the US.

“Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal, the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people,” Mamdani said in a video message Tuesday posted on the US social media platform X.

He accused Netanyahu of being responsible for the killing of more than 73,000 people, targeting hospitals, and blocking food and humanitarian aid from reaching people in need in the Gaza Strip.

“There is a reason the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest,” he said. “Anyone with their eyes, with their heart, with their conscience, should recognize the devastation he has wrought and understand that he belongs before a court of law.”

Mamdani said his administration does not have the independent legal authority to enforce the warrant.

“The federal government, however, does, and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant.

“And I want to be equally clear: Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large,” he stressed.