United States President Donald Trump has publicly called on Israel to cancel the corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing the proceedings as politically motivated and unworthy of a man he termed a “warrior”.
The extraordinary remarks came in the aftermath of the Israel-Iran ceasefire brokered earlier this week, with Trump praising Netanyahu’s leadership during the hostilities and demanding that his trial either be “cancelled immediately” or that he be granted a pardon.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Bibi Netanyahu was a WARRIOR, like perhaps no other Warrior in the History of Israel.” He went on to describe the corruption allegations as a “witch hunt” against a man who has “given so much”.
“Such a WITCH HUNT, for a man who has given so much is unthinkable to me,” Trump added. “Bibi Netanyahu’s trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero, who has done so much for the State.”
Also read: Israel-Iran conflict over, says Trump
Netanyahu, currently in office as Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, has been facing trial since 2020 on charges including bribery, fraud and breach of trust in multiple cases involving media influence and political favours. The Prime Minister has denied any wrongdoing and claimed the allegations are the result of a political conspiracy.
According to the Israeli legal framework, if convicted, Netanyahu would be compelled to step down and could face imprisonment, marking a historic first for a sitting Israeli premier.
Political observers in Israel have suggested that Netanyahu was reluctant to agree to a ceasefire with Iran, fearing that an end to the conflict might revive judicial momentum against him. Left-leaning opposition figures allege that Netanyahu used the war to deflect attention from the court proceedings.
Despite the pressure on Israel’s legal institutions, the judiciary and state prosecution maintain that there is compelling evidence in the cases and insist the law must take its course.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu has returned the praise, acknowledging Trump’s continued support of Israel during its confrontation with Iran.
The call for halting a foreign leader’s corruption trial by a sitting US president has sparked concern in international legal circles, with analysts calling it “unprecedented interference” in a democratic judicial process.
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