President Donald Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested if he travels to New York this September [1].

The statement addresses a growing tension between federal guarantees and local municipal authority regarding the legal status of the Israeli leader during the U.N. General Assembly [2].

Trump spoke on Monday, July 20, 2026 [1], during a White House press briefing. He provided a direct assurance regarding Netanyahu's status during the planned visit to the United States [3]. "He will not be arrested," Trump said [2].

This federal assurance comes as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani indicates the city is still reviewing its legal position. Mamdani said the city is still looking at its options regarding the prime minister's presence in New York [2].

The disagreement highlights a potential conflict between the U.S. executive branch and the leadership of New York City. While the president has signaled a clear path for the visit, the mayor has not committed to a specific course of action, a stance that has led to varying reports about the city's intentions [1].

Netanyahu is expected to attend the U.N. General Assembly in September 2026 [2]. The event typically draws world leaders to New York City for high-level diplomatic discussions. The prospect of his visit has become a focal point for legal debates over international immunity, and local jurisdiction.

Trump's intervention aims to remove uncertainty surrounding the logistics of the trip. By stating that an arrest will not occur, the president is signaling that federal authority will prevail over any local efforts to apprehend the prime minister [3].

“"He will not be arrested."”

This clash represents a jurisdictional tug-of-war between the U.S. federal government and New York City. While the president typically manages diplomatic immunity for visiting heads of state, Mayor Mamdani's refusal to immediately align with the White House suggests a political effort to challenge the norms of diplomatic protection for leaders facing international legal scrutiny.