WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not face arrest during any visit to the United States, responding to recent remarks by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani regarding the enforcement of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared that Netanyahu would not be arrested “in any way, shape, or form” while in the United States. Although he did not mention Mamdani by name, the president also acknowledged Israel’s support during the recent conflict with Iran.

The statement follows comments by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who said the city’s legal department was reviewing whether local authorities had any legal basis to act if Netanyahu visited New York.

During an interview with The New York Times, Mamdani reiterated his campaign pledge that Netanyahu should face justice over the ICC’s allegations, saying the Israeli prime minister belonged in The Hague. Netanyahu traditionally travels to New York each September to attend the United Nations General Assembly.

Israel strongly rejected the mayor’s remarks, describing the ICC as a “kangaroo court” and dismissing the arrest warrant as politically motivated. In a statement posted on X, Israeli officials accused Mamdani of attempting to divert attention from domestic issues by targeting Israel’s leadership.

The International Criminal Court, based in The Hague, issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024 over alleged war crimes committed during the Gaza conflict. Israel rejects the court’s jurisdiction and denies the allegations. The United States is also not a member of the ICC.

Despite previous public exchanges of criticism, Trump and Mamdani held a meeting at the White House following the New York mayoral election last November.