New York City Mayor Calls for US Action on ICC Warrant
July 22, 2026
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has urged the US federal government to execute an international arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Netanyahu is set to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York City in September, despite the city’s mayor stating that the Israeli leader is not welcome. Mamdani claims that Netanyahu is a war criminal responsible for the genocide of the Palestinian people.
Netanyahu has been accused of using starvation as a method of warfare and intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population, as well as other inhuman acts in connection with Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
On October 7, 2023, Iran-backed Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 others. The following day, Israel launched a full-scale war against Hamas in Gaza, which has resulted in over 73,000 Palestinian deaths and nearly 175,000 injuries, according to UN statistics.
Mamdani stated that the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest due to the devastation he has caused. He called on the US government to join the ICC and execute the warrant, saying that Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City.
Netanyahu’s office responded to Mamdani’s call by stating that the mayor should focus on fixing the damage his policies have caused New York City. They also claimed that Mamdani is diverting public attention from his own policies and attacking the leader of the Jewish state.
The Israeli government has rejected the allegations of war crimes against Netanyahu, and President Donald Trump’s administration is unlikely to heed Mamdani’s call. The ICC’s decision to issue a warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest has been met with criticism from some world leaders and human rights organizations.
Netanyahu’s office has accused Mamdani of spreading ‘blood libels’ and attacking Jewish organizations. Mamdani has been criticized for his stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with some accusing him of being biased towards Hamas.
Lebanon’s education minister has stated that the war-hit sector needs 10-15 years to recover from the devastation caused by the conflict. The full-scale war has left a significant impact on the region, with many countries pledging support for the affected areas.
