US President Donald Trump has assured that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not face arrest during any impending visits to the United States, addressing concerns tied to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). His comments seem to respond to the stance of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has indicated he would consider all legal measures regarding Netanyahu’s anticipated trip to New York for the UN General Assembly in September. Mamdani has advocated for Netanyahu to be held accountable for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
In a social media statement, Trump stated unequivocally that Netanyahu “will not be arrested in any way, shape, or form” on US soil. He further criticized Iran and lauded Netanyahu’s contributions to regional security. Legal analysts have raised doubts about whether New York City officials possess the authority to detain a foreign leader. The United States is not part of the ICC, and federal legislation forbids local entities from collaborating with the court.
In 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, alleging involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity. Both Israel and the United States have firmly denied these allegations. The Trump administration has consistently opposed the ICC, having imposed sanctions on the institution earlier this year, citing threats to US sovereignty as the reason for this stance.
Netanyahu’s office has rebuked Mamdani’s remarks, suggesting that the mayor concentrate on addressing local issues within New York City rather than pursuing legal actions against the Israeli prime minister. This interaction underscores the ongoing tension surrounding Netanyahu’s international engagements amid serious accusations.