Will Netanyahu Be Arrested During US Visit? Trump Responds with One Statement

Former U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday (20th) that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would 'never be arrested in the United States' during his visit to New York in September for the United Nations General Assembly. This statement directly rebuts New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's recent comments suggesting the city is exploring whether to act on an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, reigniting global attention on the ICC's authority and the U.S. stance.

Mamdani, in a recent interview with The New York Times' podcast, stated that the city's legal department is discussing whether to enforce the ICC arrest warrant if Netanyahu visits the U.S. He emphasized that Netanyahu has been indicted by the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity, and 'should stand trial in The Hague,' a view he claims is widely supported.

In response, Trump posted on Truth Social, asserting that Netanyahu 'will not be arrested in the United States, in any form.' He added that Netanyahu is fighting against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and it is Iran's leadership—not Israel's prime minister—that should be held accountable.

Image: Trump's Truth Social post

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024, accusing him of using starvation as a method of warfare, intentionally targeting civilians, and committing murder, persecution, and other crimes against humanity during the Gaza war. The case stems from Israel's military response in Gaza following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Netanyahu's office released a statement on Sunday strongly criticizing both the ICC and Mayor Mamdani. It labeled the ICC a 'kangaroo court' with no jurisdiction over the U.S. or Israel, and questioned the fairness of the process, noting that ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan issued the arrest warrant just days before facing allegations of sexual misconduct.

The statement also accused Mamdani of diverting attention from his own governance failures by attacking Israel's leadership, urging him to focus instead on New York City's municipal issues. With Netanyahu expected to visit the U.S. in September for the UN General Assembly, the legal and diplomatic controversy is expected to intensify.