Trump: Netanyahu won't be arrested in US amid ICC warrant controversy

Donald Trump declared on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "will not be arrested in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America." Trump's statement seemingly addressed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's stated desire to arrest Netanyahu during his September visit for the UN General Assembly.

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will not be arrested in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America.

Mamdani cited the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza. However, legal scholars widely believe the mayor lacks the authority to carry out such an arrest. Netanyahu's office responded by urging Mamdani to "focus on fixing the damage his policies have caused New York" rather than pursuing an arrest warrant.

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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, a vocal critic of Israel, has indicated he is discussing the possibility of an arrest with the city's legal department, stating he will act within the bounds of the law. He believes Netanyahu "belongs in The Hague" and is a "war criminal." Mamdani acknowledged that the U.S. is not a party to the ICC, a point that raises questions about how he would enforce an arrest warrant.

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Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we will do, but we won’t be writing our own laws to that end.

The ICC, established in 2002, issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and then-defense minister Yoav Gallant in 2024, accusing them of crimes against humanity and war crimes. Both Israel and the U.S. condemned the ICC's actions. Trump also commented on the conflict, criticizing Iran and suggesting that Iranian leaders, not Netanyahu, should be arrested.

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should focus on fixing the damage his policies have caused New York.