The mayor of New York City has clarified that the city lacks the authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite previous campaign promises to do so. This admission came after a review of applicable laws, which concluded that only the federal government can execute an International Criminal Court warrant. The mayor urged the federal government to take action on the warrant, despite the US not being a member of the ICC and not recognizing its jurisdiction in the US or over Israel.
The mayor's administration had been criticized for not resolving the legal question before taking office, given that experts had challenged the legality of the arrest pledge during the campaign. When asked about this, the mayor would not provide a specific date for when his administration informed him that the city lacked the power to carry out the ICC warrant. Instead, he stated that his team had made it clear that executing the warrant was not possible through applicable law.
The mayor acknowledged that Palestinian New Yorkers may be disappointed that he cannot fulfill his arrest promise, but declared that Netanyahu would no longer be welcomed by City Hall. He emphasized that his administration would not welcome individuals charged with crimes against humanity, and that this stance was rooted in the universality of humanity. The mayor argued that officials should not pick and choose which crimes against humanity to oppose.
The mayor also faced criticism that his focus on Netanyahu created a one-sided account of the Israel-Hamas war. When asked about Hamas' October 7, 2023, terrorist attack, the mayor described it as a horrific war crime that should be deeply opposed. He stated that his approach was not specific to Netanyahu, but rather to anyone who had been issued a warrant for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including Hamas leaders.
The mayor accused Netanyahu of orchestrating genocide in Gaza and described him as a war criminal. However, he also emphasized his commitment to protecting Jewish New Yorkers, including those who disagree with his position. The mayor stated that his responsibility was to ensure that all New Yorkers feel safe and cherished, regardless of their opinions on any given issue.
In light of the city's inability to arrest Netanyahu, the mayor suggested that New Yorkers could protest when the Israeli leader visits for the United Nations General Assembly, potentially in September. He emphasized that protest is a respected form of expression in the city, and that individuals who feel frustrated or opposed to Netanyahu's presence should exercise their right to demonstrate.
