Netanyahu will not be arrested in US, Trump says, as New York mayor threatens arrest

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not face arrest while visiting the United States, following remarks by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani indicating that city officials were examining the legal implications of such a scenario.

In a post on social media, Trump stated: “Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America.”

Although the president did not mention Mamdani directly, he also praised Israel's role during the conflict with Iran.

ICC Arrest Warrant

The International Criminal Court (ICC), based in The Hague, issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024 over allegations of war crimes committed during the Gaza conflict. Israel has rejected both the allegations and the court's jurisdiction, maintaining that it has not committed war crimes.

The ICC, established in 2002, has the authority to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Neither the United States nor Israel is a member of the court.

Mamdani Says Legal Options Under Review

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in an interview aired on Saturday that New York City's legal department is reviewing what authority, if any, the city might have regarding the ICC warrant.

Speaking on The Interview, a New York Times video podcast, Mamdani said: “I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague. He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court.”

Netanyahu has traditionally visited New York each September to attend the annual United Nations General Assembly, making the issue relevant should he travel to the city again.

Israel Rejects the ICC Decision

Israel responded to Mamdani's remarks with a statement posted on X on Sunday, strongly criticizing both the ICC and the mayor's position.

The statement described the ICC as a "kangaroo court" and referred to the warrant against Netanyahu as "bogus."

It also said: “Mamdani appears interested in diverting public attention from his follies and attacking the leader of the Jewish state and the only democracy in the Middle East,” it said.

Political Context

During his mayoral campaign, Mamdani pledged that if Netanyahu entered New York City while the ICC warrant remained in effect, he would instruct police to arrest the Israeli prime minister.

Despite previous public exchanges of criticism, Mamdani and President Trump held an unexpectedly cordial meeting at the White House shortly after Mamdani's election victory last November.

Trump's latest statement, however, leaves no doubt about his administration's position that Netanyahu would not be arrested during any visit to the United States.