Netanyahu Dismisses ICC Arrest Threats, Cites Israeli Special Forces Capability

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed concerns about potential arrest abroad following an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against him. In an interview with the American network FOX, Netanyahu stated that he is not worried about being detained in any country, emphasizing that Israel has special forces capable of handling such situations, a unit he himself once served in.

Netanyahu also responded to threats from New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani, who had suggested he could be arrested if he visits the city. Netanyahu dismissed these threats as empty and confirmed his intention to attend the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York in September. He criticized Mamdani sharply, accusing him of spreading hatred against the Jewish community in New York and comparing the rhetoric to the 1930s.

During the interview, Netanyahu condemned the ICC as a corrupt and malicious organization. He referenced the court’s former prosecutor, Karim Khan, who had issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes related to the Gaza blockade. Netanyahu argued that these accusations were false, noting that Israel had allowed over a million tons of food into Gaza. He also mentioned that Karim Khan was recently removed from his position due to repeated sexual harassment allegations by a staff member.

Netanyahu’s remarks come amid ongoing tensions surrounding the ICC’s investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes and the broader geopolitical disputes involving Israel and the Palestinian territories.