New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has called on the U.S. government to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, escalating his criticism of Israel’s conduct in the Gaza war.
In a video released Tuesday, Mamdani urged the federal government to take action against Netanyahu. He is facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
“Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal,” Mamdani wrote on X.
READ: Mamdani unveils ‘click-to-cancel’ rule targeting subscription traps (July 12, 2026)
Mamdani’s remarks come as Netanyahu’s position in the United States has become a subject of renewed political debate. The Israeli prime minister has maintained close ties with President Donald Trump, while the Trump administration has strongly supported Israel during the conflict.
The NYC mayor’s comments reflect his longstanding criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and his calls for greater U.S. pressure on the Israeli government.
However, the mayor of New York City does not have the authority to arrest or prosecute a foreign head of government visiting the city. Any such action would fall under federal jurisdiction and involve complex questions of U.S. law and international obligations.
Mamdani’s call also comes amid continuing debate over the ICC’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu. The United States and Israel are not parties to the Rome Statute that established the court, and Washington has rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction over U.S. and Israeli nationals.
The issue gained additional attention as Netanyahu’s travel and potential visits to the United States have continued to draw scrutiny from critics who support the ICC warrant.
The mayor’s remarks are likely to further intensify the political debate over U.S. policy toward Israel and the Gaza conflict. They also underscore the growing divide within American politics over the war and Washington’s longstanding military and diplomatic support for Israel.
READ: Zohran Mamdani marks America’s 250th with pro-immigrant speech (July 5, 2026)
The comments come as Mamdani begins his tenure as New York City’s mayor and seeks to establish his position on major foreign policy issues that have generated significant debate among the city’s diverse population.
Reuters reported that Mamdani called on the U.S. government to arrest Netanyahu in a video released on Tuesday. The Reuters video also highlights the legal and political questions surrounding whether the mayor could take any action against the Israeli prime minister.