Zohran Mamdani: Netanyahu's Arrest Warrant Must Be Taken Seriously

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani/DOK Metropolitan Transportation Authority

JAKARTA - The Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, said the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu must be "taken seriously."

This was conveyed by Mamdani a few hours after US President Donald Trump said Netanyahu would not face arrest in the US.

Speaking at a press conference, Mamdani said Netanyahu was "the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant" for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes.

"We are talking about someone who is the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. And he is the subject of this arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity, war crimes, and he is the architect of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza as the prime minister of Israel," said Mamdani as quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Tuesday, July 21.

He stressed his statement was based on "facts recorded in public records," not personal opinion.

"I believe when someone is charged with an International Criminal Court warrant, it is something that must be taken seriously - whether it's Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin, or whoever," Mamdani said.

"What I have also emphasized is that my government will follow all applicable local laws," he added.

Mamdani reiterated the position, saying: "If someone is charged with an ICC warrant for this type of crime, that is something I think should be respected. And I have also said we will follow our local laws."

Mamdaniitu's comments came after US President Donald Trump said Netanyahu would not face arrest in the US.

In a Truth Social post on Monday morning, Trump said the Israeli leader "will not be arrested, in any form, while in the United States."

Previously, Mamdani told The New York Times his administration's legal department was discussing the possibility of arresting Netanyahu if he visited New York, saying he believed the Israeli leader "should be in The Hague."

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant in November 2024 for Netanyahu and former Israeli defense chief Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.