US President Donald Trump has put the spotlight back on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial, calling for an end to the ongoing legal proceedings against the long-serving leader. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump urged Israel to either immediately pardon Netanyahu or drop the case altogether, framing it as a “witch hunt.” This statement comes at a time when Netanyahu faces serious allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust since the trial began in 2020.
In his remarks, Trump also claimed that the United States had “saved” Israel through its involvement in the recent Iran conflict and suggested that it would now come to Netanyahu’s aid. Netanyahu, responding positively to Trump’s support, expressed gratitude online, thanking Trump for his “tremendous support for Israel.”
Critics have raised concerns about Trump's intervention, particularly from Yair Lapid, Israel's main opposition leader, who argued that Trump's intrusion into the legal affairs of an independent state undermines its judicial system. Lapid suggested that Trump’s remarks could be a calculated move to exert pressure on Netanyahu regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where the war has led to speculation about the timing of elections and the trial’s conclusion.
As the trial unfolds against the backdrop of heightened tensions following the tragic October 7 Hamas attack, the ongoing conflict with Hamas has resulted in delays in the legal proceedings, putting Netanyahu’s political future at a crossroads. Although Netanyahu has continually asserted the "absurdity" of the charges against him, the increasing complexity of his legal situation and turbulent political landscape raises questions about the potential implications of Trump's call for intervention on both Israeli and U.S. foreign policy in the region.
