‘I’ll Come’: Netanyahu Defies NYC Mayor-elect Mamdani’s ICC Arrest Vow Ahead of New York Visit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he will “of course” visit New York, directly dismissing the threat by incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to order his arrest. Mamdani had previously vowed to use the NYPD to enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against the Israeli leader.

Netanyahu made the assertion during a virtual interview on Wednesday, stressing he was “not afraid” of traveling to the US financial hub.

The Standoff Explained
The controversy began when Mayor-elect Mamdani, a staunch pro-Palestinian activist, promised to enforce the ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu if the Prime Minister set foot in the city. The Hague-based ICC issued the warrant last year, alleging Netanyahu’s responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity during the military campaign in Gaza. Israel consistently rejects these allegations.

When asked if he would meet with the new Mayor, Netanyahu offered a diplomatic barb: “If he changes his mind and says that we have the right to exist, that’ll be a good opening for a conversation.”

Legal and Political Context
However, legal experts widely believe that an arrest of Netanyahu is highly unlikely. The United States, like Israel, is not a party to the Rome Statute that established the ICC. Consequently, the New York City Mayor lacks the legal authority to execute an international warrant, as foreign policy matters fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister frequently attends the UN General Assembly in New York, and his visits are generally covered by diplomatic protection. Mamdani, nevertheless, maintains that his pledge is a symbolic step to signal that New York City stands for international law and accountability.