A looming visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to New York has triggered a political and legal tug-of-war in the United States. While New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says his administration is weighing whether the Israeli leader could be arrested over an International Criminal Court warrant, US President Donald Trump has shut the door on that possibility, insisting Netanyahu "will not be arrested" anywhere in the country.

Trump's remarks came as speculation mounted over Netanyahu's expected visit to New York in September for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where world leaders are scheduled to gather.

"Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday.

Although the US President did not directly mention Mamdani, his comments followed days after the New York mayor discussed the legal questions surrounding the Israeli leader's possible visit. Trump also praised Israel's role in the recent Iran war in the same social media post.

MAMDANI SAYS LEGAL REVIEW IS UNDERWAY

Speaking on The Interview, a podcast produced by The New York Times, Mamdani said his administration was actively consulting legal experts to determine what action, if any, New York City could legally take if Netanyahu arrived in the city.

"I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague," Mamdani said.

"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."

Despite his strong criticism of the Israeli Prime Minister, Mamdani admitted that the legal position is far from straightforward.

"I've also said that I will follow the laws that we have here in New York City, because I believe that there is an importance in following the law as a leader who presides over our city, and that's something that I plan to do," he said.

The mayor added that his administration would not attempt to create or reinterpret laws to reach a predetermined outcome.

Instead, he said officials were in "an active conversation" with experts in the city's Law Department to understand what New York law would permit.

Mamdani also noted that his administration was examining all legal obligations connected with the United Nations, after being reminded during the interview that visiting foreign leaders attending the General Assembly generally receive diplomatic protections.

"But the other part of this is we're not talking about a personal assessment of Benjamin Netanyahu; we're talking about the International Criminal Court and the fact that they have a warrant out for this prime minister's arrest. And I think it's important to talk about the weight that that has as a charge, and also that as the mayor of New York City, I'll be following the laws of New York City," he added.

ICC WARRANT ROW

The controversy stems from an arrest warrant issued by the Hague-based International Criminal Court in 2024 against Netanyahu over alleged war crimes linked to Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

Israel has consistently rejected the allegations, denied committing war crimes and dismissed the ICC's jurisdiction over the matter.

The court, established in 2002, prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Neither the United States nor Israel is a member of the ICC or a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the court.

Because Washington has not ratified the Rome Statute, the US is under no treaty obligation to enforce ICC arrest warrants.

ISRAEL HITS BACK AT MAMDANI

Israeli officials immediately criticised Mamdani's remarks.

In a post on X, Israel described the ICC as a "kangaroo court" and called the arrest warrant against Netanyahu "bogus."

The statement also accused the New York mayor of attempting to shift attention away from domestic issues.

"Mamdani appears interested in diverting public attention from his follies and attacking the leader of the Jewish state and the only democracy in the Middle East," the post said.

Mamdani's latest comments echo a promise he made during last year's mayoral campaign, when he said he would direct the New York Police Department to arrest Netanyahu if the Israeli leader entered the city.

Now in office since January, the mayor says any decision would ultimately depend on what the law allows rather than on political opinion.

The issue has also drawn renewed attention because Netanyahu traditionally travels to New York every September to address the United Nations General Assembly.

- Ends

With inputs from agencies

Published By:

Satyam Singh

Published On:

Jul 21, 2026 01:29 IST