Donald Trump has criticized New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani’s warning to apprehend Benjamin Netanyahu upon his arrival in New York City, asserting that the Israeli Prime Minister will not face any form of detention.
Mamdani disclosed that his administration is deliberating the possibility of arresting Netanyahu during his visit for the United Nations General Assembly in September, following accusations of war crimes in Gaza by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Speaking at a press conference, Mamdani highlighted that Netanyahu is the subject of an ICC arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity, war crimes, and orchestrating atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza, emphasizing that these are established public records.
Trump responded to Mamdani’s statements on Truth Social, affirming that Netanyahu will not be arrested while in the United States and redirecting focus to Iran’s actions, criticizing previous leadership for failing to address the situation.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024, citing him for war crimes related to Gaza. Mamdani expressed the belief that Netanyahu should face trial in The Hague, branding him a war criminal charged by the ICC and reflecting a widespread sentiment regarding his actions.
However, Mamdani expressed uncertainty about his authority to order the NYPD to arrest a foreign leader, emphasizing that actions would adhere to existing laws without creating new regulations. Legal experts have indicated significant obstacles to executing such an arrest.
Netanyahu condemned Mamdani’s remarks, dismissing the ICC’s jurisdiction over Americans and Israelis and accusing the court of bias, with his office denouncing the arrest warrant as baseless and politically motivated.
In a statement, Netanyahu’s office urged Mamdani to focus on rectifying issues caused by his policies in New York rather than engaging in what they perceive as attacks on Israel, criticizing Mamdani’s priorities and motivations.