Former President Donald Trump stated Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would face no threat of arrest during any potential visit to the United States. Trump made the declaration on Truth Social, asserting that Netanyahu is "fighting against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which recently killed 52,000 innocent protestors, and has spent the last 47 years killing American Soldiers, and others." He added that only those responsible for Iran's "spiral of death and destruction" should face arrest.
Concurrently, Trump vowed retribution against Iran for any American casualties. "Every time Iran kills an American soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!" he wrote, stating that this directive had been communicated to military leadership. This comes as the U.S. military identified two soldiers who died in Jordan, and another service member died in Iraq following a drone detonation.
Netanyahu had previously canceled a trip to Washington, D.C., scheduled for July 18, which was postponed indefinitely due to a delay in Senator Lindsey Graham's funeral arrangements.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been criticized for his stance on Netanyahu. Adams stated in an interview with The New York Times that he believes Netanyahu is a "war criminal" who "belongs in The Hague." He indicated that his administration would consider arresting Netanyahu if he visits for the UN General Assembly in September, adhering to "all applicable local laws" and warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on November 21, 2024, accusing him of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict.
Other officials have pushed back against Adams' remarks. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz called Adams' comments "pure political theater," emphasizing that "Federal authority trumps any local mayor's wishes." Waltz pointed to diplomatic protections granted to visiting heads of government at the UN and the supremacy of federal authority over local mayoral directives.
House Republicans also criticized Adams, urging him to focus on domestic issues such as rising rent, housing prices, and antisemitism in New York City, rather than interfering with U.S. foreign policy. Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams characterized Mamdani's statement as "reckless," stating that threatening to arrest the leader of a close U.S. ally during the UN General Assembly is not "bold."
Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed Adams' comments directly in a radio interview, expressing no concern and accusing Adams of being a Hamas supporter. He suggested Adams should reconsider his condemnations and praise, stating that Israel is a democracy that aligns with American values, while Hamas openly calls for violence against Jews.
Separately, nearly half of House Democrats recently voted in favor of ending U.S. aid to Israel, although the measure did not pass. This vote highlighted a significant shift in the party's stance regarding its long-standing ally in the Middle East.