ByJAMES GENN

JULY 29, 2026 15:33

Updated: JULY 29, 2026 16:41

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he holds no fear of touching down in nations that might act on International Criminal Court arrest warrants. He made the remarks during a Fox News interview with Sean Hannity that aired on Wednesday.

Hannity raised the possibility of a medical emergency forcing an unscheduled landing in a country that accepts the ICC. Netanyahu replied that he has considered the scenario and noted his past service with special forces, suggesting they could handle a new assignment if needed.

He described the court as a distortion of global order, an unelected group in The Hague that might detain American troops even though the United States rejects the body just as Israel does.

Netanyahu warned that the same logic could label the US president a war criminal and allow the seizure of American troops fighting alongside Israel against threats from Tehran.

Netanyahu Calls Trump Meeting Among the Strongest

The prime minister also spoke with Hannity about his recent session with US President Donald Trump.

He called it one of the strongest meetings the two have held and stressed their shared goal of preventing the Tehran regime from obtaining nuclear arms that could endanger Americans, global stability, and Israel's survival.

Netanyahu Voices Doubt on Iran Agreement Chances

When asked about prospects for an Iran deal and possible moderate voices inside the leadership, Netanyahu expressed open skepticism while noting that any agreement would require Iran to recognize differing internal views on outside pressure.

He argued the divisions are less about ideology and more about how firmly the US president will act, with some factions preferring to avoid confrontation.

The discussion also covered Iran's recent restraint toward direct strikes on Israel despite US Central Command actions and Iranian missile and drone launches at American and allied sites in the Gulf.

Netanyahu Warns of Strong Israeli Response to Iran

Netanyahu stated that any attack on Israel would meet a powerful reply, which he believes explains Iran's hesitation to strike directly.

He accused the regime of targeting multiple nations including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE, while also killing and injuring thousands of its own citizens.

The prime minister noted that such behavior occurs without nuclear weapons and would only worsen if Iran acquired them.

Netanyahu further condemned New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for seeking his arrest during a planned September trip to the United Nations General Assembly.

He described Mamdani as a divisive figure who pits New Yorkers against one another and turns residents against the city's Jewish community.

The interview touched on other ICC matters, including the role of Prosecutor Karim Khan.

Netanyahu criticized the warrants issued against himself and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged starvation tactics in Gaza, pointing out that Israel had delivered a million tons of food to the territory.