Topline
President Donald Trump declared Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not face arrest during a potential visit to New York City for the United Nations General Assembly, despite an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s pledge to pursue legal action. The statement underscores Trump’s continued support for Netanyahu amid ongoing international legal tensions.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on April 7, 2025.
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Key Facts
Trump’s Truth Social post emphasized that Netanyahu “will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America.” He framed the ICC’s charges as politically motivated, praising Netanyahu’s stance against Iran and condemning those he blames for regional instability.
Mamdani previously stated his office was evaluating legal options to enforce the ICC warrant, though such an action would lack precedent and face significant practical hurdles given the U.S. and Israel’s non-membership in the ICC. Netanyahu’s office dismissed Mamdani’s remarks as a distraction from domestic criticism.
Mamdani reiterated Monday that ICC warrants merit serious consideration and that his administration would comply with “applicable local laws,” though experts note enforcement on U.S. soil remains highly improbable. The ICC’s 2024 arrest warrant for Netanyahu accuses him of war crimes related to Gaza, allegations Israel strongly denies.
The ICC lacks direct enforcement authority and depends on member states to act on warrants, a process neither the U.S. nor Israel is bound to follow. Both nations have historically rejected the court’s investigations, with Trump imposing sanctions on ICC officials probing U.S. actions in Afghanistan and Israel.
CRUCIAL QUOTE
“I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague,” Mamdani said on The New York Times’ “The Interview” podcast, referring to the ICC’s Netherlands-based detention facility. “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 last many years.”
Key Background
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other Israeli officials in 2024, alleging war crimes following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. The court claims Netanyahu authorized policies causing civilian suffering in Gaza, which Israel rejects as baseless. Though the ICC can prosecute atrocity cases, it cannot enforce warrants independently, relying instead on 124 member countries for cooperation. The U.S. and Israel, non-signatories, face no legal obligation to comply.
Political Context
Trump’s stance reflects his longstanding alignment with Netanyahu’s government, particularly regarding Iran. The U.S. and Israel coordinated military strikes on Iranian targets in February, which Trump framed as preventing nuclear proliferation. Critics argue this approach prioritizes Israeli interests over U.S. public opinion, with 53% of respondents in a June AP-NORC poll opposing escalation against Iran.