Former U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his declared intention to apprehend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he sets foot in the city. Trump asserted that Netanyahu will not face any form of detention while in the United States.
Mamdani had stated that his administration was considering the possibility of arresting Netanyahu upon his arrival in New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September. The move follows allegations of war crimes against Netanyahu by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in relation to events in Gaza.
Speaking at a press conference, Mamdani highlighted the ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes, emphasizing the need to respect such warrants and local laws.
In response, Trump took to social media to rebuke Mamdani, insisting that Netanyahu would not be arrested while in the U.S. and redirecting focus to other global concerns.
The ICC issued the arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024, accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Mamdani expressed his belief that Netanyahu should face the ICC in The Hague, branding him a war criminal supported by many due to his actions.
However, Mamdani acknowledged uncertainty regarding his authority to order the NYPD to detain a foreign leader, emphasizing adherence to existing laws and legal constraints.
Netanyahu condemned Mamdani’s statements, dismissing the ICC’s jurisdiction over Americans or Israelis and attributing the arrest warrant to an allegedly discredited former ICC Prosecutor. Netanyahu’s office criticized Mamdani’s focus on international issues rather than addressing local concerns in New York.
