• Mayor Zohran Mamdani declares Netanyahu "not welcome" in NYC and a "war criminal."
• Mamdani acknowledges New York City does not have legal authority to arrest Netanyahu.
• Calls on the federal government to execute the ICC's arrest warrant against Netanyahu.
• Netanyahu faces accusations of war crimes linked to the Gaza conflict.
• Reactions include criticisms from Israeli officials and support from activists.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has intensified his criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling him "not welcome in New York City" and a "war criminal" due to accusations stemming from Israel's military actions in Gaza. Mamdani urged the federal government to enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued for Netanyahu, asserting that he is the "architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people" and highlighting serious allegations including the "maiming of tens of thousands of children" and blocking humanitarian aid, according to Times of India.

In a video message, Mamdani stated that his administration has reviewed legal options concerning the ICC warrant but concluded that New York City lacks the authority to execute such an arrest. He emphasized, "It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant." Instead, he called on the federal government, which does have that authority, to act accordingly, reports CBS News and NPR.

These statements come against the backdrop of a war crimes investigation involving Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, with the ICC issuing warrants in 2024 for their alleged roles in depriving civilians of essential resources during the conflict. The court has found "reasonable grounds" to accuse them of using starvation as a method of warfare during military operations against Hamas, leading to significant civilian casualties, as noted by CBS News and Times of India.

The political fallout from Mamdani's remarks has drawn sharp reactions, including condemnations from Israeli officials. Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, accused Mamdani of propagating "Hamas' propaganda" and called for him to focus on serving New Yorkers, rather than engaging in international disputes. Former President Donald Trump also weighed in, asserting that Netanyahu "will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States," according to Times of India and NPR.