The incoming New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani has doubled-down on his pledge to arrest Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu based on an international warrant of arrest that isn’t recognized by U.S. laws, thereby setting the stage for a possible act rebellion against federal authorities.
Mayor-elect Mamdani, an avowed socialist, repeatedly stated that, should he be elected, the New York Police Department would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited the city. Mamdani claims that he is obliged to act in accordance with “international law”, particularly in honoring a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Netanyahu arising from conflict in Gaza.
Mamdani reiterated his commitment in a live interview conducted by local media outlet ABC 7 and stated his intention to transform the Big Apple as a refuge that places “international law” at its core.
I have said it many times that this city is one of international law. Being a city that upholds international law is part of being an international law city. It means upholding warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for either Benjamin Netanyahu or Vladimir Putin.
I think it’s important that we showcase our values. And, unlike Donald Trump I am someone who is content to live within the boundaries of our laws. “I will exhaust all legal possibilities to avoid creating my own law,” Trump said.
Mayor-elect Mamdani was asked if the UN General Assembly’s diplomatic importance would influence his decision to make such an outrageous move. Mamdani replied, “I think that we’re a globalized city but also, what New Yorkers want is consistency when it comes to how we communicate our values, and then follow them through.” Mamdani responded: “I think that these warrants issued by the International Criminal Court are well worth exploring all legal options to follow through.”
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I, on November 21, 2024 issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu and the former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Galant. This was based upon allegations of war crime and crimes committed against humanity.
The ICC said at that time, “With regards to the crimes…the [Court Pre-Trial Chamber 1] found reasonable grounds for believing that Mr. Netanyahu…and M. Gallant…bears criminal responsibility for the following acts as co-perpetrators because they committed the acts together with others: war crimes of starvation, as a means of warfare, and crimes against humanity such as murder, persecution and other inhumane actions,”
United States doesn’t recognize ICC. It is also not a part of the Rome Statute (the treaty which established court in 2002), primarily because it has concerns about incompatibility.
As evidenced by the President’s executive order imposed on the ICC in February 2025 and the statements that affirm the court’s authority over American land or personnel, the U.S. explicitly rejects the ICC’s jurisdiction. The U.S. has a policy that prohibits cooperation with ICC investigation involving U.S. interests or allies. This makes warrants such as the one issued against Netanyahu ineffective without federal intervention.
In July of this year, Trump sent a stern message to Mamdani regarding his threat to ignore U.S. laws in favour of the ICC. He warned him that he would “face consequences” if he did not behave.
Legal analysts doubted the validity of Mamdani’s threats. Professor David Bosco of Indiana University Bloomington’s international law faculty described Mamdani’s pledge as “publicity stunt”, which “would most likely not occur.” He predicted that it would be met with immediate opposition by federal courts and reversed.
He stated that “diplomatic immunity and conduct of international relations is a federal matter and courts give the federal government wide discretion to manage foreign legal and policy relations.”
Mitch Silber, former NYPD Director of Intelligence Analysis and Head of the Community Security Initiative explained that NYPD could not “take illegal acts even if Mayor wants it to”, noting that such an order would be forbidden by federal law, and that “anysuch order” will “be immediately overturned through legal challenges.”
If Mamdani follows through with his promise, President Trump will withhold federal funding and flood the city with assets from federal sources. However, the president also indicated that he would be open to a meeting face-to-face with Mamdani in the future.
