US President Donald Trump has declared that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not face arrest while visiting the United States, after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said his administration was examining whether it could enforce the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant during the upcoming UN General Assembly.
Posting on social media on Monday, Trump dismissed any possibility of Netanyahu being detained, saying, “Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America. He is fighting against the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
The controversy comes ahead of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this September, where Netanyahu is expected to attend.
Mayor Mamdani told The New York Times that he personally believes Netanyahu “belongs in The Hague” and described him as a “war criminal,” referring to the ICC’s allegations over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. However, he acknowledged that he remains uncertain whether the New York Police Department (NYPD), which falls under his authority, has the legal power to arrest a visiting foreign leader.
“Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we will do, but we won’t be writing our own laws,” Mamdani said, adding that his legal team is reviewing the issue.
The ICC issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, alleging reasonable grounds to believe they committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. Israel rejects the allegations, arguing the ICC lacks jurisdiction and describing the court’s actions as politically motivated.
Netanyahu’s office dismissed Mamdani’s remarks, calling the ICC a “kangaroo court.” The Israeli premier also said he was unconcerned by the mayor’s comments and accused Mamdani of sympathizing with Hamas. Mamdani has repeatedly condemned Hamas, calling it a terrorist organization while also criticizing Israel’s conduct in Gaza.