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Trump says Netanyahu won't be arrested in US

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Donald Trump stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "will not be arrested" if he visits the United States.
  • This statement follows New York City Mayor Eric Adams' exploration of arresting Netanyahu if he visits during the UN General Assembly.
  • Trump criticized Iran and suggested its leaders should face arrest, while Netanyahu is facing an ICC arrest warrant over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form while in the United States of America" should he visit the country. Trump's assertion came in response to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who had indicated he was investigating the possibility of arresting Netanyahu during the UN General Assembly in September.

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

— Donald TrumpStating his belief that Prime Minister Netanyahu would not face arrest if he visits the U.S.

Netanyahu is currently the subject of an international criminal court (ICC) arrest warrant issued in November 2024, related to alleged war crimes in Gaza. Trump, however, framed Netanyahu's actions as a defense against Iran, stating, "the only ones that should be arrested are the people that led Iran into this unprecedented spiral of death and destruction."

I believe that prime minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague.

— Eric AdamsExpressing his view on where the Israeli prime minister should face legal proceedings.

Mayor Adams had previously told The New York Times that he believes Netanyahu "belongs in The Hague," the seat of the ICC. Adams described the Israeli prime minister as a "war criminal who has been charged by the international criminal court," an opinion he suggested is widely held due to the consequences of Netanyahu's actions in Gaza. Adams, who has characterized Israel's war in Gaza as a genocide, confirmed he was in active discussions with New York City's law department regarding his legal authority to direct the police to detain Netanyahu.

He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the international criminal court, and what you will find is that is an opinion that is held by many, purely because of what his actions have wrought over these past many years.

— Eric AdamsJustifying his stance on Netanyahu's legal accountability.

Adams pledged to "do whatever the law allows me to do in New York City," emphasizing that the city would not create new laws for this purpose. He reiterated his campaign promise to arrest Netanyahu if he traveled to New York, stating, "It is my desire to ensure that this be a city that stands up for international law." The U.S. itself does not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction and is not a party to the court. Other figures, including Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, also face ICC arrest warrants for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we will do.

— Eric AdamsDescribing his approach to potential legal actions against Netanyahu.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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