SAFA — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has renewed his criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him a “war criminal” and “an architect of a horrific genocide of the Palestinian people” ahead of Netanyahu’s expected visit to New York for the UN General Assembly.

In an interview with CNN, Mamdani said his position on Netanyahu “has not changed” and argued that the arrest warrant issued against the Israeli prime minister by the International Criminal Court (ICC) should be honored.

Mamdani said the principle of accountability should apply equally to everyone, referring to discussions he had during a recent meeting with the mayor of The Hague, where the ICC is based.

“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.

The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli War Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024, for carrying out war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza genocide.

Mamdani acknowledged that New York City does not have the legal authority to execute the ICC warrant, despite previously pledging during his mayoral campaign to pursue Netanyahu’s arrest if he visited the city. The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the ICC.

Netanyahu is expected to address the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday. Protests are expected during his visit, although Mamdani said he does not plan to participate personally and affirmed New Yorkers’ right to demonstrate.

The exchange comes amid an ongoing political confrontation between Mamdani and Netanyahu over Israel’s war on Gaza. Netanyahu responded to the mayor’s latest remarks on Tuesday, accusing him of supporting Hamas and saying he would use his UN address to defend Israel’s actions.

Mamdani’s comments came shortly after he met US President Donald Trump at Gracie Mansion, where the two discussed issues affecting New York City despite their significant political differences.