Former U. S.
President Donald Trump declared that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not face arrest during any visit to the United States, directly responding to legal threats from local officials as reported by The Guardian.
Trump made the commitment following statements from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who indicated he is actively exploring options to detain the Israeli leader under international law during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September.
Netanyahu has been the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued in November 2024 regarding alleged war crimes committed in Gaza, alongside former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif.
Addressing the matter publicly, the former U. S.
president defended the Israeli prime minister's current military actions and rejected the foreign court's jurisdiction over foreign leaders visiting American soil.
"Will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form while in the United States of America," posted Donald Trump, former U.
S. president.
Trump further framed the conflict around regional leadership dynamics in the Middle East while calling for legal accountability elsewhere.
"Fighting against the Islamic Republic of Iran," said Trump.
He expanded on his stance regarding the ongoing Middle East hostility: "The only ones that should be arrested are the people that led Iran into this unprecedented spiral of death and destruction."
Mayor Mamdani maintained that New York City should align itself with international legal institutions despite the U. S.
government's non-recognition of the Hague-based tribunal.
"I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague," said Mamdani.
He elaborated on the motives behind his administration's position regarding the Israeli leader's actions in Gaza: "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."
Mamdani confirmed that municipal lawyers are actively examining municipal police enforcement limits for foreign diplomats visiting the city, calling it "an active conversation."
He clarified the boundaries of municipal executive power regarding detainment procedures: "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."
Mamdani reiterated his commitment to upholding global human rights frameworks within his municipal jurisdiction: "It is my desire to ensure that this be a city that stands up for international law."
The International Criminal Court's charges against the leadership figures involve severe violations of human rights and international law during the Gaza campaign.
The court specifically accused the leaders of "starvation as a method of warfare, and … murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts," according to court documents cited by The Guardian.
