Netanyahu Says Israel's 'Special Forces' Ready If He Is Arrested Abroad Over ICC Warrant
Netanyahu Says Israel's 'Special Forces' Ready If He Is Arrested Abroad Over ICC Warrant Published By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 22:21 IST US President
Netanyahu Says Israel's 'Special Forces' Ready If He Is Arrested Abroad Over ICC Warrant Published By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 22:21 IST US President Donald Trump, a close ally of Netanyahu, has said that the Israeli prime minister would not be arrested if he enters the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Image: Reuters) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel’s special forces are prepared to respond if he is detained by a country seeking to enforce an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Netanyahu made the remarks during an interview with Fox News while on a visit to the United States. He said he was not afraid of travelling to countries that recognise the ICC warrant issued against him in 2024. Asked whether he had considered the possibility of being arrested in a country that enforces the ICC order, including in a situation such as a medical emergency, Netanyahu said, “Yeah, I think about it. You know, we have special forces around.
I served for five years." Netanyahu also said he plans to visit New York despite calls from its mayor Zohran Mamdani for the federal government to take action against him. “I’m going to speak the truth in front of this hate-spewing elected official. He’s pitting one group of New Yorkers against the others. He’s turning them against New York Jews," Netanyahu said, referring to Mamdani. Mamdani vs Trump Over Netanyahu Arrest New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has described Netanyahu as a “war criminal" who has been charged by the ICC. Mamdani said that the ICC warrant reflects concerns shared by many people over Israel’s actions during the Gaza war. However, he acknowledged that New York City does not have the legal authority to enforce the arrest warrant and called on the federal government to take action. US President Donald Trump, a close ally of Netanyahu, has said that the Israeli prime minister would not be arrested if he enters the United States. Why Did ICC Issue Arrest Warrant Against Netanyahu?
The ICC issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu in November 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The court accused Netanyahu of responsibility for alleged crimes including “starvation as a method of warfare" and intentionally directing attacks against civilians. It also accused him of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. Netanyahu has rejected the allegations, calling the ICC action politically motivated and “antisemitic". Netanyahu’s White House Visit Netanyahu’s comments came during his visit to Washington for talks with US President Donald Trump, his first in-person meeting with Trump since the Iran conflict began. The meeting took place as tensions remained high in the Middle East, with the US military reporting the interception of missiles launched by Iran. The White House described the discussions as “positive and productive". The closed-door meeting lasted around 90 minutes, with both leaders discussing Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security. After the meeting, Netanyahu said it was “one of the best conversations" he had with Trump and that both sides shared the goal of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
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