@sbsnews_au: United States President Donald Trump has reassured Benjamin Netanyahu that he will not face arrest in New York City after mayor Zohran Mamdani raised the possibility on a New York Times podcast. Mamdani said he is reviewing whether his administration could arrest the Israeli prime minister if he visits New York in September for the UN General Assembly. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Israeli leader in November 2024 over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Speaking to the New York Times, Mamdani said he believes that “Netanyahu belongs in The Hague”, adding: “He’s a war criminal who has been charged ... 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 past many years.” Israel denies allegations of war crimes and has previously rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction, describing the warrant as “bogus”. Responding to Mamdani’s comments, the Israeli government said: “The ICC is a kangaroo court that has no jurisdiction over Americans or Israelis.” “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,” it added. Also reacting to Mamdani’s comments, Trump said: “Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America.” “The only ones that should be arrested are the people that led Iran into this unprecedented SPIRAL OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION,” he said in a post on Truth Social, adding that Netanyahu was assisting in the US’ war against Iran.

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Monday 20 July 2026 06:30:05 GMT