Newly elected New York City Mayor Johran Madani has reiterated this week that he will honour international arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the city. Madani had previously made this position clear prior to his election.
According to local reports, outgoing Mayor Eric Adams encouraged Netanyahu to attend Madani’s inauguration during a recent meeting. Speaking live on ABC7, Madani described New York as a “city of international law” and stated that the city would respect the ICC’s 2024 arrest warrants. These warrants allege that Netanyahu deliberately targeted civilians and used starvation as a weapon.
Madani emphasised: “I have repeatedly stated that this is a city of international law, and being a city of international law means upholding international law. This applies to Netanyahu or Vladimir Putin alike.” He added that while New York is a global city, residents expect consistency in the application of legal and ethical standards. The mayor indicated that the ICC warrants would be reviewed to determine all legally feasible means of enforcement.
In October, before the mayoral election, Madani had stated on Fox News’ programme ‘The Story’ that he would arrest Netanyahu if legally possible. He stressed that he would not seek to create new laws, saying, “Unlike Donald Trump, I am not illiterate; I will operate strictly within existing law.”
Although the United States is not a signatory to the ICC treaty, Madani believes the city has a responsibility to attempt to implement the arrest warrants as long as it aligns with domestic law. Legal experts note that municipal enforcement of international warrants is highly complex, but Madani’s announcement highlights his commitment to positioning New York as a city that respects global legal standards.
This position is likely to draw significant international attention, especially given the high-profile nature of the individuals involved and the sensitive geopolitical context.
GLIVE/TSN