United States President Donald Trump has urged Israel to cancel the corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or to grant him a pardon, characterizing the case against the Israeli leader as a “witch-hunt.” Trump made this appeal on Wednesday on behalf of his close Israeli ally, who was indicted in 2019 in Israel on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
“Bibi Netanyahu’s trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon granted to a distinguished leader, who has contributed significantly to the State of Israel,” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform, utilizing the Israeli leader’s nickname, and mentioning that he had learned that Netanyahu was scheduled to appear in court on Monday. “Such a WITCH HUNT, against a man who has accomplished so much, is inconceivable to me,” Trump further added.
The trial of Netanyahu commenced in 2020 and encompasses three criminal cases. He has denied the allegations and entered a plea of not guilty. Israeli media outlets have reported that the cross-examination of Netanyahu commenced on June 3rd in a Tel Aviv court and was anticipated to last approximately one year.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog possesses the authority to grant a pardon to Netanyahu; however, Israeli media have quoted him as stating that such a pardon is “not currently on the table.” Herzog also indicated that “no such request had been made,” according to reports.
America Saves Israel and Netanyahu – Trump
President Trump also voiced in his post: “It was the United States of America that saved Israel, and now it is going to be the United States of America that saves Bibi Netanyahu.” It remains unclear what measures Trump or the US government might undertake to halt Netanyahu’s corruption trial.
Trump’s remarks expressing support for Netanyahu stood in contrast to the uncommon public rebuke he directed towards the Israeli leader on Tuesday regarding Israel’s post-ceasefire attacks on Iran. “Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and dropped a significant number of bombs, the likes of which I have never seen before, the largest we have observed. I am not pleased with Israel,” Trump stated to reporters at that time.
Israeli Opposition Dismissed Trump Remarks
Some of Netanyahu’s allies responded positively to Trump’s remarks; however, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid commented that the US president should refrain from intervening in a legal matter of a foreign nation. “With all due respect to Trump, he should not interfere in a legal process in an independent country,” he conveyed to Ynet. Lapid characterized Trump’s call as “compensation” to Netanyahu because he’s going to pressure him on the Gaza issue to end the war. That’s typical of Trump.”
Ariel Kellner, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, also dismissed Trump’s appeal to cancel the corruption trial. “I generally oppose any foreign interference in Israel’s internal affairs. Isn’t it time for our judicial system to engage in some soul-searching?” Kellner said.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed support for Trump’s call to drop the corruption charges against Netanyahu. “Israel is indeed an independent and sovereign state, but President Trump is absolutely correct – it’s time to abolish the absurd sentence that the deep state devised in an attempt to stage a coup against democracy,” he said in a post on X. “An urgent reform of the judicial system is essential!
