WASHINGTON, D.C. | July 21, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested if he visits the United States, rejecting calls from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who had urged the federal government to enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against the Israeli leader.
Trump made the remarks on his Truth Social platform, stating that Netanyahu “will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form” while in the United States. The statement comes ahead of the Israeli prime minister’s expected visit to New York in September for the United Nations General Assembly.
Mamdani Calls for Action
The controversy began after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly argued that Netanyahu should face arrest if he enters the United States, citing the ICC warrant issued in 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the Gaza conflict. Mamdani later acknowledged that New York City itself lacks the legal authority to carry out such an arrest but said the U.S. federal government should consider enforcing the warrant.
The mayor also reiterated his view that Netanyahu should not be welcomed in New York while the ICC warrant remains outstanding.
Trump Rejects the Proposal
Responding to those calls, Trump strongly defended the Israeli leader and dismissed any suggestion that Netanyahu could be detained during an official visit.
The U.S. president described Netanyahu as a key ally and emphasized that his administration would not permit any arrest while the Israeli prime minister is on American soil. Trump’s comments reaffirm the long-standing U.S. position of not recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court over American or Israeli officials.
The ICC Arrest Warrant
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged crimes committed during the Gaza conflict. Israeli officials have rejected the allegations, while the United States has consistently argued that the ICC lacks jurisdiction in the matter because neither the U.S. nor Israel is a party to the Rome Statute.
The warrants have nevertheless complicated Netanyahu’s international travel, particularly to countries that are members of the ICC and are legally obligated under the Rome Statute to cooperate with the court.
Political Reactions
Trump’s statement has further intensified debate over the intersection of international law, diplomacy and domestic politics in the United States.
Supporters of the ICC argue that arrest warrants issued by the court should be respected by member states and that international justice must be upheld regardless of political considerations. Critics, however, contend that the court lacks jurisdiction over Israel and that attempts to arrest Netanyahu during a U.S. visit would create a serious diplomatic confrontation.
Israeli officials welcomed Trump’s assurance, while Netanyahu dismissed calls for his arrest as politically motivated.
What Comes Next?
Netanyahu is expected to travel to New York later this year to attend the United Nations General Assembly. While activists continue to call for accountability under international law, Trump’s latest remarks suggest that the U.S. administration has no intention of facilitating any effort to detain the Israeli prime minister during his visit.
The episode underscores continuing disagreements between supporters of the International Criminal Court and governments that reject its authority, highlighting the complex legal and diplomatic issues surrounding international arrest warrants and the movement of world leaders.
