During a future visit to the United States, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not face arrest, according to US President Donald Trump. Trump’s assurance comes amidst discussions surrounding an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The topic surfaced following comments from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who expressed the intention to explore legal avenues regarding Netanyahu’s upcoming trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September. Mamdani argues that Netanyahu should be held accountable for alleged war crimes committed in Gaza.
In a social media post, Trump firmly stated that Netanyahu would not be detained “in any way, shape, or form” while on American soil. He further criticized Iran and defended Netanyahu’s contributions to regional security. Legal analysts have raised questions about the authority of New York City officials to arrest a foreign head of government, especially since the United States is not a party to the ICC, and federal law restricts local cooperation with the court.
The ICC issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Netanyahu and former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Both Israel and the United States have vehemently denied these allegations. The Trump administration has maintained a strong opposition to the ICC, imposing sanctions on the institution earlier in the year, arguing that its actions pose a threat to US sovereignty.
In response to Mamdani’s remarks, Netanyahu’s office has urged the New York City mayor to prioritize local issues rather than pursuing legal actions against the Israeli leader. The Israeli government has consistently rejected the ICC’s accusations and maintains that their actions are justified under international law.