After the recent Iran-Israel conflict, US President Donald Trump has strongly opposed the corruption trial against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling it a 鈥渨itch hunt鈥 and a politically motivated case with 鈥渦nfair charges鈥.
In December, Netanyahu became the first Israeli Prime Minister to take the stand in a criminal trial for corruption, being charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases. However, he has denied these charges.
鈥淚 was shocked to hear that the State of Israel, which has just had one of its Greatest Moments in History, and is strongly led by Bibi Netanyahu, is continuing its ridiculous Witch Hunt against their Great War Time Prime Minister!鈥 Trump said in a Truth Social post.
鈥淏ibi and I just went through HELL together, fighting a very tough and brilliant longtime enemy of Israel, Iran, and Bibi could not have been better, sharper, or stronger in his LOVE for the incredible Holy Land. Anybody else would have suffered losses, embarrassment, and chaos!鈥
Trump further said he had just learned that Netanyahu was summoned to court on Monday for a 鈥渉orror show鈥 and a politically-motivated case. 鈥淪uch a WITCH HUNT, for a man who has given so much, is unthinkable to me. He deserves much better than this, and so does the State of Israel. Bibi Netanyahu鈥檚 trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero, who has done so much for the State,鈥 he said.
鈥淚t 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.鈥
What Are The Charges Against Netanyahu?
Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 in Israel on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust 鈥 all of which Netanyahu denies. The trial began in 2020 and involves three criminal cases. He has pleaded not guilty.
The Israeli PM and his wife were accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars鈥 worth of cigars and champagne from a billionaire Hollywood producer in exchange for assisting him with personal and business interests, according to The Guardian. He was also accused of an agreement with a newspaper for positive coverage in exchange for legislation weakening its rival.
Netanyahu said the charges are a witch-hunt orchestrated by a hostile media and a biased legal system out to topple his lengthy rule. The trial has been delayed several times since 2020 due to the war in Gaza and later conflict in Lebanon.
As per Israeli reports, a cross-examination of Netanyahu began on June 3 in a Tel Aviv court and was expected to take about a year to complete. While Israeli President Issac Herzog has the power to pardon Netanyahu, he has been quoted by Israeli media as saying that such a pardon is 鈥渘ot on the table鈥.
It was unclear if the US could do anything to aid Netanyahu in his legal battle. His remarks came after a brief conflict between Iran and Israel, after the US president expressed frustration as the two countries exchanged fire despite a ceasefire.
(with agency inputs)