US President Donald Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not be arrested during any visit to the United States, following remarks by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani that the issue was still under legal consideration.
In a post on social media, Trump said, “Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America.”
Although Trump did not refer directly to Mamdani’s comments, he also credited Israel for its role in the conflict involving Iran.
Mayor says legal options under review
Mamdani said in an interview broadcast on Saturday that New York City’s legal department was examining what action, if any, the law would permit.
“I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague. He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court,” Mamdani said during a New York Times video podcast.
During his mayoral campaign, Mamdani had said police would arrest Netanyahu if he entered New York City.
Netanyahu traditionally visits New York each September to attend the annual United Nations General Assembly.
ICC warrant remains disputed
The International Criminal Court (ICC), based in The Hague, issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024 over alleged war crimes linked to the Gaza war.
Israel rejects the ICC’s jurisdiction and denies committing war crimes.
Responding to Mamdani’s remarks, Israel said in a post on X that the ICC was a “kangaroo court” and described the arrest warrant against Netanyahu as “bogus”.
The ICC, established in 2002, has jurisdiction over cases involving genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The United States and Israel are not members of the court.
