According to a report by Anadolu Agency on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and called on the United States government to enforce the arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) should he enter the country.
In a video message posted on X on Tuesday, Mamdani strongly criticised Netanyahu over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, accusing the Israeli leader of being responsible for widespread destruction and civilian casualties. Watch D Video Here ➤
“Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal, the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people,” Mamdani said in the video.
He alleged that Netanyahu bears responsibility for the deaths of more than 73,000 people in Gaza, while also accusing Israel of targeting hospitals and restricting the delivery of food and humanitarian assistance to civilians trapped in the enclave.
Mamdani further argued that the United States shares responsibility for the conflict because of its military support for Israel.
“We, as Americans, pay for the bombs that do the killing,” he said, adding that the ICC’s decision to issue an arrest warrant reflected the seriousness of the allegations against the Israeli prime minister.
“There is a reason the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest,” Mamdani stated. “Anyone with their eyes, with their heart, with their conscience, should recognise the devastation he has wrought and understand that he belongs before a court of law.”
The New York mayor acknowledged that his administration lacks the legal authority to enforce an international arrest warrant, noting that such powers rest with the federal government.
However, he urged Washington to recognise the authority of the ICC and act on the warrant if Netanyahu visits the United States.
“The federal government, however, does, and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant,” Mamdani said.
He also declared that Netanyahu would not be welcome in New York City.
“I want to be equally clear: Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large,” he added.
Mamdani said that although city governments cannot directly influence the conflict in the Middle East, they can choose how they respond to what is happening.
“While we cannot end the genocide on our own, we can decide whether our silence will become another weapon,” he said. “We can examine every tool we have to defend the humanity and dignity of all people.”
His remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump dismissed the possibility of Netanyahu being detained while visiting the United States.
Speaking on Monday, Trump said the Israeli leader “will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America.”
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s former Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the conflict in Gaza.
Israel has consistently rejected the allegations and disputes the jurisdiction of the ICC over the matter. The United States is also not a member of the International Criminal Court and does not recognise the tribunal’s jurisdiction over its citizens or those of several allied countries.