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Published Jul 26, 2026Updated Jul 29 Major10
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Netanyahu Says Israel Has Special Forces Ready if Arrested Abroad
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel has special forces ready if he is arrested abroad for International Criminal Court war crimes charges, dismissing the charges as bogus and criticizing the ICC as a corrupt institution. Despite New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's call for his arrest during an expected UN General Assembly visit in September 2026, Netanyahu confirmed he will travel to the U.S., while President Trump assured him he will not be arrested on American soil.
Quick Facts
- Netanyahu stated Israel has special forces ready if he is arrested abroad
- Netanyahu dismissed ICC war crimes charges as bogus
- Netanyahu criticized the ICC as an unelected bureaucracy
- Mamdani called for Netanyahu's arrest under ICC warrant
- Mamdani acknowledged NYC lacks legal authority to execute arrest
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is not afraid of landing in countries that enforce International Criminal Court arrest warrants, stating that Israel has "special forces" prepared for such scenarios. In an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Netanyahu responded to a hypothetical question about emergency landings in ICC-recognizing nations by saying: "We have special forces. You know, I served with them for five years... let's give them a new task."
Netanyahu dismissed the ICC's war crimes charges against him as "bogus" and criticized the court as "an unelected bureaucracy" sitting in The Hague. He argued the ICC's corruption extends to potential risks for American soldiers and leaders, saying the court could theoretically label U.S. military personnel as war criminals. This statement came amid New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's call for Netanyahu's arrest under the 2024 ICC warrant if he attends the UN General Assembly in September 2026.
Mamdani acknowledged his office lacks legal authority to execute the arrest warrant but urged federal authorities to do so, calling Netanyahu a "war criminal" and stating he is not welcome in New York City. The mayor's position has drawn support from some Democratic lawmakers, including Congressman Ro Khanna of California, who stated the U.S. should cooperate with the ICC and arrest warrant violators. Human rights organization Amnesty International similarly called on U.S. authorities to arrest Netanyahu.
President Donald Trump countered these calls on social media, assuring Netanyahu: "Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America." Netanyahu confirmed plans to visit Washington this week to meet with Trump and attend funeral services for late Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime Israel supporter.
Netanyahu also praised his meeting with Trump, highlighting their shared concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions. He stated: "It was one of the best meetings that we've had. We have a common commitment. We don't want to see this fanatic regime in Tehran have nuclear weapons to threaten every American, and to threaten the peace of the world, and to threaten the existence of Israel."
Accusing Mamdani of "fomenting hate," Netanyahu referenced recent stabbings in New York to emphasize concerns about rising antisemitism in the U.S. The dispute reflects deeper divisions within American politics over Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which began following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel.
Why This Matters
Netanyahu faces an active 2024 ICC arrest warrant for alleged war crimes related to the Gaza campaign. His statement about deploying special forces, combined with political divisions in the U.S. over compliance with ICC obligations, creates legal and diplomatic uncertainty: mayors and some Democratic lawmakers call for arrest; Trump assures immunity on U.S. soil; and the ICC's enforcement mechanism—dependent on state cooperation—remains contested. Measurable stakes include travel restrictions, diplomatic protocol for foreign leaders, and the precedent for how the U.S. handles ICC warrants.
Timeline & Sources
Oct 7, 2023
WireHamas attack on southern Israel kills approximately 1,200 people and takes 251 hostage
Jan 1, 2024
WireInternational Criminal Court issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu, accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Gaza campaign
Jul 29, 2026
WireNetanyahu states Israel has 'special forces' prepared for potential arrest abroad
Jul 29, 2026
WireNetanyahu tells Sean Hannity that Israel has special forces ready if he is arrested abroad
Related Signals
Sources
- Netanyahu Mamdani War Crimes Gaza 82df2bdee5136d36e49dcc47d50d6b24apWireJul 26, 2026
- Eeuu Mamdani Israel Netanyahu Gaza Nueva York 9ae75f75f4fa3209aa13e4b0bdef9ea2apWireJul 26, 2026
- Netanyahu accuses NYC Mayor Mamdani of 'fomenting hate' after arrest threatBBCMediaJul 27, 2026
- Netanyahu Bakal ke AS, Ngaku Tak Khawatir Ditangkap Walkot New YorkdetikNewsMediaJul 27, 2026
- Amnesty International Desak AS Tangkap NetanyahuCNN IndonesiaMediaJul 27, 2026
- Wali Kota New York Zohran Mamdani Tolak Kunjungan PM Israel Netanyahu | SAPA SIANGKompas.tvMediaJul 27, 2026
- Netanyahu accuses Mamdani of ‘fomenting hate’ ahead of US visitAl JazeeraMediaJul 27, 2026
- Khanna backs Mamdani’s call for Netanyahu’s arrestDawnMediaJul 26, 2026
- Netanyahu says Israel has 'special forces' ready if he's arrested on NY visitHaaretzMediaJul 29, 2026
- 'We have special forces protection': Netanyahu tells Hannity he's not afraid of ICC arrest warrantsjpost.comMediaJul 29, 2026