United States President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on Israeli prosecutors over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu鈥檚 ongoing corruption trial, calling it 鈥渋nsanity鈥 and linking Washington鈥檚 financial support to the proceedings.
Posting on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump lashed out at Israeli authorities for undermining Netanyahu鈥檚 ability to negotiate with the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza and manage mounting tensions with Iran.
鈥淚t is INSANITY doing what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu,鈥 Trump wrote, referring to the Israeli leader with his nickname and claiming his trial would obstruct peace efforts in the region.
鈥淭he United States of America spends billions of dollars a year 鈥 protecting and supporting Israel. We are not going to stand for this,鈥 he added.
Netanyahu is set to take the stand on Monday for cross-examination in a long-running corruption case that began in 2020.
He faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust 鈥 all of which he denies. His lawyers had requested a two-week delay in testimony, citing national security demands following Israel鈥檚 recent 12-day conflict with Iran. That appeal was rejected on Friday.
Members of Israel鈥檚 Knesset have accused Netanyahu of using the regional conflicts to secure an end to his corruption trial.
鈥淸Netanyahu] is conditioning the future of Israel and our children on his trial,鈥 Naama Lazimi, Knesset member from the Democrats Party, told The Times of Israel newspaper.
Karine Elharrar, Knesset member from Yesh Atid party, warned that Netanyahu is 鈥渁cting against the Israeli public interest鈥 by linking his legal fate with captive negotiations and regional normalisation agreements.
ICC arrest warrant
Netanyahu鈥檚 legal troubles include an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued last year for him and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant.
The charges include war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel鈥檚 war on Gaza, beginning in October 2023. Both leaders have called the arrest warrant 鈥渁nti-Semitic鈥.
Trump鈥檚 comments come just days after he suggested a ceasefire deal with Hamas may be close.
Speaking to reporters, he claimed Netanyahu was engaged in negotiations with the Palestinian group, though no further details were provided.
Hamas has stated it would free remaining Israeli captives in Gaza as part of a deal to end the war, but has rejected Israeli demands for total disarmament.
Netanyahu responded to Trump鈥檚 defence with a post on X: 鈥淭hank you again, @realDonaldTrump. Together, we will make the Middle East Great Again!鈥
Calls for Netanyahu to resign
The political turmoil in Israel has deepened, with renewed calls for Netanyahu鈥檚 resignation. In a televised interview with Channel 12, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said it was time for Netanyahu to step aside.
鈥淗e has been in power for 20 years 鈥 that鈥檚 too much,鈥 said Bennett. 鈥淗e bears heavy responsibility for the divisions in Israeli society.鈥
Bennett, who has taken a break from politics, is reportedly eyeing a return, with polls suggesting he could challenge Netanyahu once more.