Mamdani says he won't try to arrest Israel's Netanyahu, acknowledges NYC doesn't have legal authority - CBS News

What the report says

CBS News reports that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said late Tuesday that the city lacks legal power to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under an International Criminal Court warrant if he comes to New York. Mamdani had pledged during his mayoral campaign to enforce the warrant, and in recent days had said the city would follow applicable local laws if Netanyahu attended the United Nations General Assembly this fall.

In a social media video cited by CBS, Mamdani said his administration reviewed available legal options and determined New York City does not have independent authority to carry out the ICC warrant. He urged the federal government to act instead, while continuing to describe Netanyahu in sharply critical terms over Israel’s war in Gaza.

The statement drew a rebuke from Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon, who accused Mamdani of spreading anti-Israel propaganda. President Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social that Netanyahu would not be arrested while in the United States. CBS said it sought comment from Netanyahu’s office and the White House.

The ICC issued warrants in 2024 for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant after prosecutors examined Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel and Israel’s military response in Gaza. The court said there were reasonable grounds to believe the Israeli officials deprived civilians of essential aid; Israel has rejected the allegations and says it seeks to avoid civilian harm while blaming Hamas for operating in populated areas. The United States is not a party to the treaty that created the ICC and generally does not recognize its authority.