Netanyahu claims Israel has special forces ready if any country attempts to detain him
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed concerns over the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him, declaring that he will continue travelling internationally and asserting that Israel is prepared to respond if any country attempts to detain him.
Speaking to Fox News during his visit to the United States, Netanyahu said the ICC warrant would not influence his travel plans, even to countries that recognise the court’s jurisdiction.
‘We have special forces’
Asked whether he fears being arrested abroad, including during an unexpected emergency, Netanyahu said Israel has measures in place to deal with such situations.
“Yeah, I think about it. You know, we have special forces around. I served for five years,” he said.
The Israeli leader maintained that he would continue visiting foreign countries despite the legal proceedings initiated by the ICC.
Netanyahu targets New York mayor
Netanyahu also confirmed plans to visit New York City, brushing aside criticism from Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has previously referred to him as a “war criminal.”
Accusing the mayor of fuelling divisions, Netanyahu said Mamdani was spreading hatred and turning communities against one another.
Mamdani, however, has acknowledged that New York City has no authority to enforce ICC arrest warrants, noting that any such action would fall under the jurisdiction of the US federal government.
Trump reiterates support
Netanyahu’s remarks came after high-level talks with US President Donald Trump in Washington.
According to reports, Trump assured the Israeli Prime Minister that he faced no risk of arrest while in the United States, reaffirming Washington’s longstanding support for Israel despite the ongoing ICC proceedings.
The meeting marked the first face-to-face talks between the two leaders since the recent escalation involving Iran.
ICC case against Netanyahu
The ICC issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu in November 2024, alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
The charges include allegations of using starvation as a method of warfare, intentionally targeting civilians, murder, persecution and other inhumane acts.
Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected the accusations, calling the ICC proceedings politically motivated and biased against Israel.
Focus on Iran and regional security
The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu lasted around 90 minutes, with discussions centred on Iran’s nuclear programme and the wider security situation in West Asia.
After the talks, Netanyahu described the meeting as one of his best conversations with Trump and reiterated their shared commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
The discussions took place against the backdrop of continued regional tensions, with diplomatic efforts underway to prevent a wider conflict despite the current pause in major military operations.
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