‘Let Bibi Go…': Trump Backs Netanyahu Again, Calls Corruption Trial A 'Political Witch Hunt'
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Trump said that Netanyahu is involved in securing a deal with Hamas and Iran and warned that the judicial process was going to interfere with Netanyahu's ability to conduct talks.
US President Donald Trump has once again slammed the Israeli prosecutors over the ongoing corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling it a 'witch hunt" and a politically motivated case with 'unfair charges".
Trump said that Netanyahu is involved in securing a deal with Hamas and Iran and warned that the judicial process was going to interfere with Netanyahu's ability to conduct talks with Hamas and Iran.
He said that Washington, having given billions of dollars worth of aid to Israel, was not going to "stand for this".
In December, Netanyahu became the first Israeli Prime Minister to take the stand in a criminal trial for corruption, being charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases. However, he has denied these charges.
'It is terrible what they are doing in Israel to Bibi Netanyahu," Trump said, describing the Israeli leader as 'a War Hero, and a Prime Minister who did a fabulous job working with the United States to bring Great Success in getting rid of the dangerous Nuclear threat in Iran."
The US President also slammed the charges against Israeli PM, which include receiving gifts such as cigars and champagne, dismissing them as trivial.
'How is it possible that the Prime Minister of Israel can be forced to sit in a Courtroom all day long, over NOTHING (Cigars, Bugs Bunny Doll, etc.). It is a POLITICAL WITCH HUNT, very similar to the Witch Hunt that I was forced to endure."
'This travesty of 'Justice' will interfere with both Iran and Hamas negotiations," Trump claimed. 'In other words, it is INSANITY doing what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu."
'The United States of America spends Billions of Dollar a year, far more than on any other Nation, protecting and supporting Israel. We are not going to stand for this."
He concluded his message with a call to allow Netanyahu to focus on leadership rather than legal battles.
'We just had a Great Victory with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu at the helm — And this greatly tarnishes our Victory. LET BIBI GO, HE'S GOT A BIG JOB TO DO!"
Trump's second post over the course of a few days defending Netanyahu and calling for the cancellation of the trial went a step further to tie Israel's legal action to US aid.
What Are The Charges Against Netanyahu?
Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 in Israel on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust – all of which Netanyahu denies. The trial began in 2020 and involves three criminal cases. He has pleaded not guilty.
The Israeli PM and his wife were accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars' worth of cigars and champagne from a billionaire Hollywood producer in exchange for assisting him with personal and business interests, according to The Guardian. He was also accused of an agreement with a newspaper for positive coverage in exchange for legislation weakening its rival.
Netanyahu said the charges are a witch-hunt orchestrated by a hostile media and a biased legal system out to topple his lengthy rule. The trial has been delayed several times since 2020 due to the war in Gaza and later conflict in Lebanon.
As per Israeli reports, a cross-examination of Netanyahu began on June 3 in a Tel Aviv court and was expected to take about a year to complete. While Israeli President Issac Herzog has the power to pardon Netanyahu, he has been quoted by Israeli media as saying that such a pardon is 'not on the table".
It was unclear if the US could do anything to aid Netanyahu in his legal battle. His remarks came after a brief conflict between Iran and Israel, after the US president expressed frustration as the two countries exchanged fire despite a ceasefire.
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Shobhit Gupta
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More
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