US President Donald Trump has said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not face arrest during any visit to the United States. His remarks come after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said legal officials were reviewing what action could be taken regarding an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that Netanyahu would not be arrested “in any way, shape, or form” while visiting the United States. Although he did not mention Mayor Mamdani by name, his statement appeared to respond to the growing discussion over the ICC warrant and its possible implications.
In the same message, Trump also referred to Israel’s role during the recent conflict with Iran. His comments reinforced the US administration’s continued support for Israel and its leadership.
The debate follows recent remarks by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who took office in January. During an interview aired on Saturday, Mamdani said New York City’s legal department was examining local laws to determine what actions could legally be taken if Netanyahu visited the city.
Mamdani also recalled his position during the mayoral campaign, when he said the New York Police Department should arrest Netanyahu if he entered New York. Speaking on a New York Times video podcast, he described the Israeli prime minister as someone who should face justice in The Hague. He also referred to Netanyahu as a war crimes suspect following the ICC’s charges.
Netanyahu usually travels to New York each September to attend the United Nations General Assembly. His annual visit often includes meetings with world leaders and diplomatic engagements.
Israel strongly rejected Mayor Mamdani’s remarks. In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Israeli officials dismissed the ICC as a “kangaroo court” and described the arrest warrant as invalid. The statement also accused Mamdani of trying to distract attention from his own political challenges by criticizing Israel’s leadership.
The International Criminal Court was established in 2002 to investigate and prosecute genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. In 2024, the Hague-based court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes linked to the conflict in Gaza.
Israel has rejected the ICC’s authority and continues to deny all allegations of war crimes. The United States is also not a member of the ICC and does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction over its citizens or officials.
The issue has once again highlighted differences between international legal institutions and the policies of countries that do not recognize the ICC. While legal discussions continue, Trump has made it clear that Netanyahu will not face arrest during a visit to the United States, according to his statement.
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Despite their political differences, Mayor Mamdani and Trump reportedly held a cordial meeting at the White House last November following Mamdani’s election victory. The meeting came after the two had previously exchanged public criticism, making the encounter an unexpected moment of cooperation.
