MARYLAND (WBFF) — As outrage over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to ignite protests, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu questions his safety in the United States.
The International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for Netanyahu, accusing him of being a war criminal.
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In an interview on “MS NOW” last week, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore argued Netanyahu should be held accountable.
“Denying food to people and using it as a cudgel is a war crime,” Moore said. “I think absolutely he’s committed war crimes and I think absolutely he needs to be accountable for this.”
But, some members of Baltimore’s Jewish community criticized Moore’s language.
“That kind of language is too strong” Howard Libit, executive director of the Baltimore Jewish Council, said. “There’s a feeling like those terms are only applied to Israel and when you look at military situations across the globe that qualify even more.”
An editorial in Baltimore Jewish Timescondemned the governor’s words, “The problem is that Moore crossed the line from criticism into reckless accusation, inflaming precisely the fears and insecurities he claims to oppose.”
The ICC warrant has also prompted questions about whether U.S. officials would arrest Netanyahu if he traveled to the United States.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has previously threatened to arrest Netanyahu if he steps foot in New York City, but pulled back this week, saying, “It is clear we do not have the independent authority to to enforce this warrant.”
Questions remain about what Moore would do if Netanyahu visited Maryland.
An email sent to the governor’s office asked whether Moore agrees with Mamdani’s suggestion that Netanyahu should be arrested if he comes to New York, whether Netanyahu should be arrested if he visits Maryland, and whether the U.S. should assist in enforcing the ICC warrant. The governor’s office has yet to reply.
President Donald Trump responded on social media, writing, “Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested in any way shape or form while in the United States of America.”
Libit warned of broader implications if Israeli leaders cannot travel to the U.S., saying, “If the Israeli leaders can’t come to the U.S to negotiate or attend Graham’s funeral that becomes a new problem.”
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