During the election campaign, the Democrat announced that Netanyahu would be arrested if he were elected mayor.Image: keystone
July 22, 2026, 04:55July 22, 2026, 04:55
Contrary to previous threats from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not have to expect any arrest for the time being if he travels to the metropolis.
A legal review has shown that the city has no possibility of having the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Netanyahu executed, Mamdani said in a video published on the X platform. “My administration has examined all options available under applicable law.” Netanyahu is still “not welcome in New York City.”
During the election campaign, the Democrat announced that Netanyahu would be arrested if he were elected mayor. He later expressed more restraint and referred to an examination of the options. Netanyahu is expected to attend the UN general debate in New York in September.
USA does not recognize International Criminal Court
There has been an arrest warrant against Netanyahu from the International Criminal Court (ICC) since November 2024 on allegations of war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu firmly rejects the allegations.
In the video, Mamdani addresses the administration of US President Donald Trump. She has the authority to execute the arrest warrant. However, Trump had already strictly ruled this out. Like Israel, the USA does not recognize the court and is therefore not bound by its decisions. (sda/dpa)