Trump urges Israel to cancel Netanyahu’s corruption trial
U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly demanded that Israel either cancel the corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or grant him a full pardon. Referring to the legal proceedings as a “witch-hunt,” Trump defended Netanyahu, who was charged in 2019 with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
Netanyahu, who denies all allegations and has pleaded not guilty, has been on trial since 2020. The charges stem from three separate criminal cases. Trump, in a statement posted online, said that Netanyahu deserves clemency due to his significant contributions to Israel. He emphasized that the Israeli leader, widely known by the nickname “Bibi,” should not be subjected to such treatment.
“I just learned that Netanyahu is expected to appear in court on Monday,” Trump said, calling the trial “unthinkable” for someone he views as a national hero.
Reports indicate that Netanyahu’s cross-examination began on June 3 in a Tel Aviv court and may continue for up to a year. While Israel’s President Isaac Herzog has the constitutional power to issue a pardon, he reportedly stated that no such request has been made and that the matter is not currently under consideration.
Trump further claimed that the United States had played a critical role in supporting Israel, and now, according to him, it is time for the U.S. to assist Netanyahu personally. However, it remains unclear what action if any the president or the U.S. government could take to influence the legal proceedings.
This defense of Netanyahu followed a rare expression of criticism from Trump the previous day, when he voiced disapproval of Israel’s bombing campaign on Iran following a ceasefire agreement. He remarked that the scale of the airstrikes was unprecedented and expressed frustration over the long-standing conflict between the two nations, stating that both countries seem lost in their prolonged hostilities.
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