U.S. President Donald Trump ruled out any Netanyahu arrest in the United States on Monday, July 20, rejecting New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s move to examine legal options under an ICC warrant.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not be arrested “in any way, shape, or form” while in the United States. The post followed Mamdani’s comments about a possible Netanyahu visit to New York.
Mamdani said his administration was consulting New York City’s legal department about its available options. He linked the review to Netanyahu’s expected attendance at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
The mayor told The New York Times’ “The Interview” that Netanyahu should face proceedings in The Hague. He said any city action would have to comply with applicable local and federal law.
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on November 21, 2024. The court cited alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity connected to the Gaza conflict. Netanyahu and the Israeli government reject the allegations.
Read: UK Ready to Arrest Netanyahu on ICC Warrant
The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute establishing the ICC. The United Nations treaty registry lists the U.S. as a signatory that did not ratify the treaty, meaning Washington has no treaty obligation to execute ICC arrest warrants.
