Trump rules out Netanyahu arrest in the US, rebuffing Mamdani

In a social media post on Monday, Trump declared that Netanyahu would not be arrested "in any way, shape, or form" while in the United States, tying his support to Israel's ongoing confrontation with Iran. He argued that those responsible for escalating the Iran conflict deserved scrutiny instead, though he did not name Mamdani directly in the post.

Netanyahu is expected to travel to New York in September to address the United Nations General Assembly, a trip that would place him inside Mamdani's jurisdiction.

Mamdani, a democratic socialist who took office as mayor this year, has repeatedly argued that Netanyahu should face consequences tied to an International Criminal Court warrant issued in 2024 over allegations connected to the Gaza war.

Speaking in a podcast interview released over the weekend, Mamdani said the Israeli premier "belongs" before international judges and reiterated that his legal team was actively reviewing what authority the city might have.

Also Read: Mamdani says Netanyahu “belongs in The Hague” as legal review begins

At a press conference, he stressed that the matter was not a personal judgment of Netanyahu but a reference to an existing international warrant that he believes should not be ignored.

Legal analysts cited by multiple outlets have described any city-level attempt to detain a visiting head of government as practically unworkable, noting that such a move could trigger a direct clash with federal authority.

The United Nations Headquarters Agreement also grants visiting heads of state and government certain protections during UN-related travel, a point raised by US officials dismissing Mamdani's comments as largely symbolic.

The exchange has drawn sharp reactions from Jewish community leaders in New York, with some accusing Mamdani of breaking a campaign pledge, while others have defended his position as consistent with international law obligations.