Trump rejects Mamdani's threat to arrest Israel's Netanyahu for war crimes in New York

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has publicly stated his intention to explore the possibility of arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes should Netanyahu visit New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September. Mamdani's stance is based on an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against Netanyahu in November 2024 for alleged war crimes during the conflict in Gaza. The mayor emphasized that he believes Netanyahu belongs in The Hague and that his administration would follow applicable local laws.

In response, former President Donald Trump unequivocally rejected Mamdani's threat, stating that Netanyahu "will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America." Trump made his remarks on social media on Monday, July 20, 2026, also praising Netanyahu's efforts against Iran.

Legal experts and federal law indicate that Mayor Mamdani lacks the authority to detain a foreign head of state, as foreign policy and diplomatic immunity fall under federal jurisdiction. The United States does not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction over its citizens or foreign officials on US soil, and federal statutes prohibit local governments from cooperating with the court. Netanyahu's office dismissed Mamdani's threats as a diversion, while other officials, including the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, characterized them as "political theater."