Former US president Donald Trump stated on social media on 20/7 that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not be arrested while in the US. Trump emphasized Netanyahu’s role, noting, “Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested in any way while in the US. He is fighting the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Trump’s comments followed a statement from New York City Councilman Zohran Mamdani, who indicated he was exploring whether local authorities could arrest the Israeli prime minister. Netanyahu is scheduled to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York next September. Trump further asserted that only those who have led Iran into an "unprecedented spiral of death and destruction" deserve arrest, adding, “This is an issue that should have been addressed by previous presidents many years ago.”
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Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and former US president Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago estate, Florida, on 29/12/2025. Photo: AFP |
Councilman Mamdani described the Israeli prime minister as a "war criminal" and stated he "belongs in The Hague", referring to the headquarters of the International Criminal Court (ICC). In an interview with the NY Times published last weekend, Mamdani confirmed he was discussing with the city’s legal department the authority to arrest Netanyahu.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024. The court stated it had reasonable grounds to believe he was responsible for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel’s campaign in Gaza. On 19/7, Netanyahu responded to Mamdani’s threat in an X post, calling it a distraction and suggesting the New York City Councilman should focus on the city’s issues.
Mamdani’s statements drew criticism from various quarters, including moderate Democratic Party members and some members of the city’s Jewish community. David Greenfield, a former city councilman from the Democratic Party and executive director of the influential Jewish nonprofit Met Council, commented, “A leader seeking to direct law enforcement under their command to arrest a political opponent is behavior typical of third-world countries. That is not how a democracy operates.”
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New York City Councilman Zohran Mamdani speaking in Brooklyn on 5/7. Photo: AFP |
On 20/7, the New York City Councilman affirmed his administration would adhere to local law when making any decisions regarding the legal authority to arrest Netanyahu. He reiterated his stance, stating, “My view is that if someone has an ICC arrest warrant issued for crimes committed, that should be respected.”
However, legal experts and scholars indicate that Mamdani’s authority to arrest Prime Minister Netanyahu under an ICC warrant is very limited. The US does not recognize the ICC, and federal law prohibits local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with ICC proceedings. According to Brian Ginsberg of the law firm Harris Beach Murtha, the American Servicemembers' Protection Act of 2002 specifically forbids local agencies, such as the New York Police Department, from assisting with ICC prosecutions.
Thanh Tam (According to AFP, WSJ)
