Trump Urges Israel to Drop Netanyahu Trial
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly called on Israel to either pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or drop the corruption trial against him altogether. The unexpected demand appeared in a post on Truth Social, where Trump defended Netanyahu and described him as a “great hero” and a “warrior.”
Trump claimed the United States had “saved Israel”—a reference to the recent U.S. intervention in Israel’s conflict with Iran—and added that it would now also “save” Netanyahu. The Israeli prime minister, who has faced charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust since 2020, promptly thanked Trump online, calling his support “moving.”
Legal Case Meets Political Storm
Netanyahu’s legal battle, which has spanned years and seen multiple court appearances, has continued despite the ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza and rising tensions with Iran. Critics argue the war has slowed the pace of his trial, while some suggest the conflict may be helping him delay both elections and legal consequences.
Trump’s latest comments quickly drew criticism. Yair Lapid, leader of Israel’s opposition, said the former president should not interfere in the judicial affairs of a sovereign state. “He should not intervene in the legal process of an independent state,” Lapid said bluntly.
A ‘Witch Hunt,’ Says Trump
In his Truth Social post, Trump echoed familiar language, calling the charges against Netanyahu a “witch hunt”—a term he frequently uses to describe investigations into his own legal troubles in the United States. He claimed the case was a “travesty of justice” that “cannot be allowed.”
Trump also revealed that Netanyahu was due to appear in court again on Monday, underscoring the immediacy of his plea for cancellation or pardon.
Support, Strategy, or Both?
While Netanyahu responded positively to Trump, saying they would continue to “defeat common enemies,” Lapid offered a more cynical take. He suggested the statement may not have been a simple show of support but rather a strategic move.
“I hope and suppose this is a reward Trump is giving Netanyahu,” Lapid said, hinting that Trump might be planning to pressure him into a hostage deal to end the war in Gaza.
Context: A Trial Overshadowed by War
Netanyahu’s trial has unfolded alongside significant national and regional crises, particularly since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that launched a prolonged conflict. With the war against Hamas ongoing, delays in court proceedings have grown more frequent, prompting allegations that Netanyahu might be using the war to buy political time.
Trump’s intervention adds another layer to an already complex moment in Israeli politics, drawing international eyes back to the courtroom and onto the battlefield.
