Trump says Israeli PM Netanyahu's corruption trial should be cancelled
US President Donald Trump described the case against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a 'witch hunt'. FILE PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump on June 25 called for Israel to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or cancel his trial on corruption charges.
Mr Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 in Israel on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust - all of which Mr Netanyahu denies. The trial began in 2020 and involves three criminal cases. He has pleaded not guilty.
'Bibi Netanyahu's trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero, who has done so much for the State (of Israel),' Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that he had learned that Mr Netanyahu was due to appear in court on June 30 .
Israeli media have reported that cross-examination of Mr Netanyahu began on June 3 in a Tel Aviv court and was expected to take about a year to complete.
Israeli President Issac Herzog has the power to pardon Mr Netanyahu but has been quoted by Israeli media as saying that a pardon is 'not currently on the table'. He also said that 'no such request had been made', according to the reports.
Mr Trump extolled Mr Netanyahu and said in his post: 'It 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.'
That appeared to be a reference to US involvement and support for Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear programme. Mr Trump announced a ceasefire on June 23 .
It was unclear if Mr Trump meant the US could do anything to aid Mr Netanyahu in his legal battle.
The Republican president described the case against the Israeli leader as a 'witch hunt', a term Mr Trump has frequently applied to US attempts to prosecute him. REUTERS
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