New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has reiterated his call for the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be honored, saying that accountability for alleged crimes against Palestinians must apply to all political leaders.

Speaking to CNN on Monday, Mamdani described Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and an “architect of a horrific genocide of the Palestinian people,” while acknowledging that New York City does not have the independent legal authority to enforce the ICC warrant.

“When it comes to Benjamin Netanyahu, I have described him as I believe him to be — a war criminal and an architect of a horrific genocide of the Palestinian people,” Mamdani said.

He argued that the ICC's authority and decisions should not be selectively applied, saying that if the international court determines that an individual should be arrested over alleged violations of international law, the warrant should be respected.

“If the International Criminal Court deems someone worthy of an arrest because of a violation of those laws, then who are we to say that anyone should be above that?” Mamdani said, according to reports of the interview.

Mamdani's comments come as Netanyahu prepares to travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, where he is scheduled to address world leaders on Thursday.

The issue has placed the question of accountability for alleged violations committed during Israel's war in Gaza back at the center of political debate in New York.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024, alleging responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with Israel's military campaign in Gaza. The court also issued a warrant for then-Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Mamdani previously said his administration had examined whether New York authorities could enforce the warrant. In July, he said city lawyers had concluded that New York did not have independent legal authority to carry out an ICC arrest. He subsequently called on the U.S. federal government to act instead.

“My administration has reviewed every avenue available under applicable law,” Mamdani said at the time, adding that the federal government had authority that the city lacked.

The mayor's position has made the ICC warrant a prominent issue surrounding Netanyahu's planned appearance at the United Nations.

Mamdani has repeatedly framed his position around the protection of Palestinian civilians and the principle that alleged violations of international law should be investigated and prosecuted regardless of the status of those accused.

His latest remarks come amid continued international scrutiny of Israel's military campaign in Gaza and the humanitarian consequences for Palestinians. The ICC's warrant against Netanyahu specifically concerns alleged conduct during the Gaza conflict, while Israel has rejected the court's jurisdiction and allegations against its leaders.

The Israeli government has described the ICC proceedings as illegitimate and Netanyahu has rejected the accusations against him. Israel has also disputed allegations of genocide and has said its military operations are directed against Hamas rather than the Palestinian population.

The United States and Israel are not parties to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. Washington has opposed the court's action against Israeli officials, while the Trump administration has moved toward broader measures targeting the court.

Netanyahu is expected to make a brief visit to New York for the U.N. General Assembly and address the gathering on Thursday. His appearance is expected to draw protests and renewed calls for accountability over Israel's conduct in Gaza.

For Mamdani, however, the question extends beyond the Israeli prime minister's visit.

His repeated calls for the ICC warrant to be respected have placed Palestinian rights, international law and accountability at the heart of his public comments on Netanyahu, while his acknowledgment that New York lacks the legal authority to execute the warrant underscores the limits of municipal power in a matter governed by federal and international law. (ILKHA)