NEW YORK: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office hit back at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani after the latter claimed that he was assessing whether Netanyahu could be arrested if he visits New York. “This ICC is a kangaroo court which has no jurisdiction over Americans or Israelis,” the PMO said. “The ICC’s bogus arrest warrant against Prime Minister Netanyahu was issued by a disgraced former ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, a few days before allegations of sexual misconduct against him became public. It was a clear attempt by Khan to divert public attention and seek protection from scrutiny.”
The statement further said, “Israel has taken unprecedented wartime measures to minimise harm to civilians while confronting Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organisation that uses Palestinians as human shields and deliberately targets innocent Israeli civilians.” It also stated, “Instead of backing Khan’s criminal behaviour, Mr Mamdani should focus on fixing the damage his policies have caused New York.” Adding, “Like Karim Khan, Mamdani appears interested in diverting public attention from his follies and attacking the leader of the Jewish state and the only democracy in the Middle East.”
What did Mamdani say about arresting Netanyahu?
Speaking to The New York Times, Mamdani said, “I will follow the laws that we have here in New York City” and added, “whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we will do, but we won’t be writing our own laws to that end.” Asked what the law allows, he replied there was “an active conversation with our legal department.”
What are the legal obstacles?
Legal experts have said Mamdani’s proposal is baseless because the ICC has no jurisdiction in the U.S., while federal law bars local governments from cooperating with the court. New York Governor Kathy Hochul had also stated that “the New York City mayor does not have the power to do that.”
How did U.S. politicians react?
Fetterman on the ICC The Senate Democrat brushed aside Mamdani’s remarks, stating, “He has no way to do that.” As for the ICC, he added, “America’s not even part of that corrupt court.” “He’s just a clown to even say that, so he won’t try that,” Fetterman concluded, adding that Mamdani should “just sit down and focus” on New York issues, “that’s really not your purview. You and I know that. Sit down.” The Israeli Prime Minister previously said Mamdani’s comments won’t hinder his attendance at this year’s UN General Assembly in New York.
Where does the Netanyahu-Mamdani row go from here?
The back-and-forth between Netanyahu’s office and Mamdani speaks to the larger controversy regarding local authority, the reach of the International Criminal Court and when U.S. Law can accommodate an international arrest warrant. Mamdani, who says his administration will look into what options he has available under New York state law, faces the question of whether the attempt would actually pass legal muster, as authorities say the United States doesn’t enforce the court’s warrants.
