Netanyahu Says Israeli 'Special Forces' Ready To Intervene If He Faces ICC Arrest Abroad

Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that its special forces are ready to intervene if any foreign government attempts to detain him under an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. This controversy erupted after New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that he would discuss Netanyahu's arrest with authorities if he attended the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.

What did Netanyahu say about it?

In an interview, Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently in the United States, said there was no reason he wouldn't go to any country that backs the 2024 ICC verdict. 

The International Criminal Court in November 2024 issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. 

Responding to questions about the risks of being arrested abroad, Netanyahu said, "Yeah, I think about it. You know, we have special forces. I served in them for five years."

What did Netanyahu say about Mayor Zohran Mamdani?

In his interview, Netanyahu has confirmed that he will continue his visit to New York City and is going to tell the truth to the city's mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who is "pitting one group of New Yorkers against the other, turning them against New York Jews.

"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."

What's the matter?

In early July, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that he was discussing with the Justice Department whether to arrest Netanyahu if he visited New York. However, Mamdani later backtracked on his statement. 

Mamdani stated, "We do not have the independent legal authority to enforce an arrest warrant. That authority rests with the federal government. We urge them to enforce the arrest warrant." 

Addressing this controversy, US President Donald Trump, in a social media post, addressed Netanyahu, saying, "You will not be arrested under any circumstances while you are in America."