Key Takeaways
- US President Donald Trump stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested during his visit to the US.
- New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is considering legal options to arrest Netanyahu for alleged war crimes.
- Israel rejects ICC jurisdiction and denies committing war crimes.
US President Donald Trump has stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested during his upcoming visit to the United States, in response to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s consideration of legal options. In a social media post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: 'Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America.'
The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024 for alleged war crimes during the Gaza conflict. Israel has rejected the court’s jurisdiction and denies committing such crimes. In a video podcast with The New York Times, Mayor 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.'
Israel responded to Mayor Mamdani’s comments on Sunday via an X post, calling the ICC a ‘kangaroo court’ and the arrest warrant against Netanyahu ‘bogus.’ The statement read: '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.'
Traditionally, Netanyahu travels to New York every September for the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly. Mamdani took office in January 2023 and had previously stated during his mayoral campaign that he would arrest Netanyahu if he set foot in New York City. In November 2022, shortly after his election victory, Mayor Mamdani met with President Trump in an unexpectedly friendly manner despite their previous public disagreements.
The ICC was established in 2002 and has jurisdiction to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The United States and Israel are not members of the court. This development highlights the ongoing tensions between international legal bodies and national sovereignty, particularly in cases involving high-profile political figures like Netanyahu.
While Trump’s statement provides a clear stance on Netanyahu's visit, it also underscores the complex diplomatic landscape surrounding the ICC and its pursuit of war crimes charges against Israeli officials.
'Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America.'
Donald Trump, US President
'I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague. He's a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court.'
Zohran Mamdani, New York City Mayor
