President Donald Trump has explicitly stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will face no risk of arrest while attending the upcoming United Nations summit in New York. This declaration arrives in response to comments from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is currently consulting with his legal advisors to determine if he possesses the legal authority to order the detention of a foreign head of state.
Mamdani, who publicly labeled Netanyahu a war criminal and suggested he belongs at the International Criminal Court, remains uncertain about his executive power regarding such an arrest. In contrast, President Trump dismissed the potential action on social media, emphasizing his support for the Prime Minister’s efforts against Iran.
The tension stems from 2024 allegations by the International Criminal Court regarding war crimes linked to the conflict in Gaza. Netanyahu’s administration has consistently rejected these accusations, dismissing the ICC proceedings entirely. Despite the mayor’s rhetoric, the White House has made it clear that the Israeli leader will be protected during his visit.
