Trump says Netanyahu ‘will not be arrested’ in US amid row over NYC Mayor Mamdani’s remarks | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump said on Monday (July 20th) that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “will not be arrested” during a visit to the United States, weighing in on a growing political row sparked by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s remarks that his administration was looking into whether local authorities could detain the Israeli leader during September’s UN General Assembly.
Trump’s comments came after Netanyahu’s office sharply criticized Mamdani for his suggestion that New York’s legal department review the city’s authority to act on an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for the Israeli prime minister.
Trump: “Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested”
In a post on Truth Social Trump has offered unequivocal support to Netanyahu, rejecting any suggestion that the Israeli leader could face arrest on American soil..
“Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested in any way, shape or form in the United States of America.”
Trump praised Netanyahu’s role in the conflict with Iran, writing: “He is fighting against the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
He also blamed Iran’s leadership for decades of violence, adding: “The only people who should be arrested are the people who led Iran into this unprecedented SPIRAL OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION that previous presidents should have dealt with years ago!”
Although Trump did not mention Mamdani by name, his remarks came amid controversy surrounding the mayor’s comments regarding Netanyahu’s planned visit to New York.
Mamdani: “Netanyahu belongs in The Hague”
The dispute began after Mamdani told The New York Times that his administration was consulting with the New York City Law Department on the scope of the mayor’s legal powers if Netanyahu were to visit the UN General Assembly.
“I believe Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague.”
Mamdani called Netanyahu a war criminal, adding: “He is a war criminal who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court.”
While he emphasized that the city will not create new laws, he said, “Whatever the law allows me to do in New York, we will do.”
Netanyahu’s office strikes back
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office responded with a strong statement rejecting both Mamdani’s comments and the ICC’s arrest warrant.
He described the ICC as: “A kangaroo court that has no jurisdiction over Americans or Israelis.”
The authority also called Netanyahu’s arrest warrant “bogus”, saying it was issued by former ICC prosecutor Karim Khan shortly before the sexual abuse allegations became public.
Netanyahu’s office accused Mamdani of using Israel to distract from problems closer to home.
“Instead of supporting Khan’s criminal behavior, Mr. Mamdani should focus on repairing the damage his policies have caused in New York.”
The statement added that the mayor appeared more interested in targeting: “The leader of the Jewish state and the only democracy in the Middle East.”
Israel defends the Gaza campaign
Netanyahu’s office also defended Israel’s military operations in Gaza, saying the Israel Defense Forces had taken extraordinary steps to reduce civilian casualties in the fight against Hamas.
The statement accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields and rejected allegations of war crimes.
ICC arrest warrant
The controversy stems from arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court in November 2024 against Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The ICC said there were reasonable grounds to believe that both leaders were responsible for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, including allegations related to the use of starvation as a method of warfare and attacks against civilians.
Israel has denied the charges and disputes the jurisdiction of the ICC. The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute, meaning it has no treaty obligation to arrest or extradite individuals wanted by the court.
A visit to the UN General Assembly in the spotlight
Netanyahu is expected to travel to New York in September for the annual United Nations General Assembly, where world leaders meet at UN headquarters.
The prospect of his visit has intensified debate over whether local authorities could play any role in enforcing the ICC’s arrest warrant, even though US federal policy does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction over Israeli or American citizens.
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