Public Support for Arresting Netanyahu Strains US-Israel Ties

The call for the Prime Minister's detention, championed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has drawn intense criticism from figures including Senator John Fetterman and UN Ambassador Mike Waltz. While opponents label the demand as divisive, the data suggests widespread agreement with the move. Roughly 68% of Democrats and 55% of Independents support the arrest, alongside 24% of Republican voters and nearly a quarter of those who supported Donald Trump in the 2024 election.

Administration officials maintain that the US does not recognize the court's authority, citing the fact that neither the US nor Israel are parties to the Rome Statute. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has signaled a hardline stance against the ICC, threatening to dismantle the institution. Meanwhile, Senator Chris Van Hollen has challenged the White House on the visit, pointing to the ongoing detention of American student Sama Safi in the West Bank. As Netanyahu meets with President Trump, the gap between the administration’s welcoming posture and the public’s growing skepticism toward Israeli military policy continues to widen.