ANITrump calls for “immediate” cancellation of Israeli PM’s trial; says ‘US will save Netanyahu’
US President Donald Trump has publicly demanded the cancellation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu鈥檚 corruption trial, calling it a politically motivated 鈥渨itch hunt鈥 unworthy of a wartime leader.鈥淏ibi Netanyahu鈥檚 trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero, who has done so much for the State (of Israel),鈥 Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday. 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.鈥漈he Israeli prime minister, Trump said, had been 鈥渟ummoned to Court on Monday for the continuation of this long-running, politically motivated case, concerning cigars, a Bugs Bunny doll, and numerous other unfair charges.鈥濃 TrumpDailyPosts (@TrumpDailyPosts) Praise for Netanyahu鈥檚 wartime leadershipTrump鈥檚 comments came shortly after a US-backed ceasefire took effect following 12 days of deadly conflict between Israel and Iran. The president did not hold back his praise.Live Events鈥淏ibi and I just went through HELL together, fighting a very tough and brilliant longtime enemy of Israel, Iran,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ibi could not have been better, sharper, or stronger in his LOVE for the incredible Holy Land.鈥滺e added, 鈥淏ibi Netanyahu was a WARRIOR, like perhaps no other Warrior in the History of Israel, and the result was something that nobody thought was possible, a complete elimination of potentially one of the biggest and most powerful Nuclear Weapons anywhere in the World.鈥滵espite the ceasefire, Trump had criticised Israel the previous day for launching fresh strikes on Iran almost immediately after the truce was announced. 鈥淚srael, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I鈥檝e never seen before,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 not happy with Israel.鈥漇till, by Wednesday, Trump had returned to defending Netanyahu, saying, 鈥淪uch a WITCH HUNT, for a man who has given so much, is unthinkable to me.鈥漀etanyahu is currently standing trial in three criminal cases鈥擟ases 1000, 2000 and 4000鈥攅ach involving allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He was indicted in 2019, and the trial formally began in May 2020. The charges range from receiving luxury gifts鈥攃igars, champagne, and jewellery worth over $260,000鈥攆rom wealthy associates, to allegedly trying to secure favourable media coverage by offering regulatory favours.He has consistently denied all accusations, calling them 鈥渇ake鈥 and insisting he has done nothing wrong.Cross-examination in the ongoing trial resumed on 3 June in a Tel Aviv court and is expected to last up to a year. According to reports by Anadolu Agency, this is the first time in Israeli history that a sitting prime minister has taken the stand as a criminal defendant.Trump鈥檚 defence echoes his own legal battlesTrump, who is himself facing a wave of legal challenges and criminal indictments in the United States, drew parallels between Netanyahu鈥檚 case and his own. 鈥淏REAKING NEWS… I was shocked to hear that the State of Israel… is continuing its ridiculous Witch Hunt against their Great wartime Prime Minister!鈥 he wrote, again using his familiar language to discredit the prosecution.He added, 鈥淭his is the first time a sitting Israeli Prime Minister has ever been on trial鈥 He has been going through this 鈥楬orror Show鈥 since May of 2020鈥擴nheard of!鈥漃ardon not likely, says Israeli PresidentDespite Trump鈥檚 call for a pardon, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has clarified through media statements that no such request has been received and that a pardon is 鈥渘ot currently on the table.鈥漊nder Israeli law, Netanyahu is not required to resign unless convicted and the conviction is upheld by the Supreme Court.Meanwhile, international legal scrutiny continues. The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu, accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity for alleged actions in Gaza, including targeting civilians and using starvation as a tactic.The renewed public backing from Trump adds another layer to an already complex situation. Netanyahu鈥檚 political standing is increasingly tied to his image as a wartime leader, especially after Israel鈥檚 aggressive campaign against Iran鈥檚 nuclear and military sites. The United States had reportedly joined that effort, striking two Iranian facilities with bunker-busting bombs and launching guided missiles from a submarine.Trump鈥檚 comment鈥斺淚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鈥濃攗nderscores just how tightly he has tethered Netanyahu鈥檚 fate to Washington鈥檚 influence.But whether words from Washington will influence legal proceedings in Tel Aviv remains to be seen.For now, the Israeli judiciary appears to be moving forward鈥攚ith or without America鈥檚 blessing.(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
Read More News onTrump Netanyahu corruption trialIsrael Prime Minister legal battlesUS Israel relationsNetanyahu trial updatesWitch hunt accusationsBenjamin Netanyahu chargesInternational Criminal Court IsraelPardon for NetanyahuIsraeli political landscape
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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onTrump Netanyahu corruption trialIsrael Prime Minister legal battlesUS Israel relationsNetanyahu trial updatesWitch hunt accusationsBenjamin Netanyahu chargesInternational Criminal Court IsraelPardon for NetanyahuIsraeli political landscape(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online….moreless