logo
US envoy supports Trump's claim on Netanyahu trial as witch hunt

US envoy supports Trump's claim on Netanyahu trial as witch hunt

The Sun16-07-2025
TEL AVIV: US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee publicly supported Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after attending his corruption trial, echoing former President Donald Trump's description of the case as a 'witch hunt.'
Netanyahu has consistently denied wrongdoing, while his allies argue the trial is politically driven.
Huckabee attended the proceedings and later posted on social media, stating, 'I stopped by the trial of [Netanyahu] in Tel Aviv today. My conclusion? [Trump] is right... again.'
His post linked to Trump's earlier statement on Truth Social, where the former president compared Netanyahu's legal troubles to his own, calling it a 'political witch hunt.'
Trump has frequently accused opponents of weaponizing the justice system against him.
In May 2024, he was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments.
He also faces federal cases tied to alleged election interference.
Netanyahu and his wife Sara are accused of accepting luxury gifts worth over $260,000 from billionaires in exchange for political favors.
In separate cases, he allegedly sought favorable media coverage from Israeli outlets.
Since returning to power in late 2022, Netanyahu's government has pursued judicial reforms critics say weaken the courts, sparking mass protests before the Gaza war shifted public focus. – AFP
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Europe reacts with mix of relief and concern to US trade deal
Europe reacts with mix of relief and concern to US trade deal

New Straits Times

time4 minutes ago

  • New Straits Times

Europe reacts with mix of relief and concern to US trade deal

EUROPEAN governments and companies reacted with both relief and concern on Monday to the framework trade deal struck with US President Donald Trump, acknowledging what was seen as an unbalanced deal but one that avoided a deeper trade war. The agreement, announced on Sunday between two economies that account for almost a third of global trade, will see the US impose a 15 per cent import tariff on most EU goods - half the threatened rate but much more than what Europeans hoped for. Many of the specifics of the deal were not immediately known, however. "As we await full details of the new EU–U.S. trade agreement, one thing is clear: this is a moment of relief but not of celebration," Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever wrote on X. "Tariffs will increase in several areas and some key questions remain unresolved." Trump said the deal, including an investment pledge topping the US$550 billion deal signed with Japan last week, would expand ties between the trans-Atlantic powers after years of what he called unfair treatment of US exporters. It will bring clarity for European makers of cars, planes and chemicals. But the EU had initially hoped for a zero-for-zero tariff deal. And the 15 per cent baseline tariff, while an improvement on the threatened rate of 30 per cent, compares to an average US import tariff rate of around 2.5 per cent last year before Trump's return to the White House. European Commission chief Von der Leyen, describing Trump as a tough negotiator, told reporters on Sunday that it was "the best we could get." European stocks opened up on Monday, with the STOXX 600 at a four-month high and all other major bourses also in the green. Tech and healthcare stocks led the way. "The 15 per cent rate is better than the market was fearing," said Jefferies economist Mohit Kumar. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the deal, saying it averted a trade conflict that would have hit Germany's export-driven economy and its large auto sector hard. French government ministers said on Monday that the deal had some merits - such as exemptions they hoped to see for some key French business sectors such as spirits - but was nevertheless not balanced. Industry minister Marc Ferracci stressed more talks - potentially lasting weeks or months - would be needed before the deal could be formally concluded. "This is not the end of the story," he told RTL radio. European companies, meanwhile, were left wondering whether to cheer or lament the accord. "Those who expect a hurricane are grateful for a storm," said Wolfgang Große Entrup, head of the German Chemical Industry Association VCI. "Further escalation has been avoided. Nevertheless, the price is high for both sides. European exports are losing competitiveness. US customers are paying the tariffs," he said. Stellantis shares were up 3.5 per cent and car parts maker Valeo jumped 4.7 per cent while German pharma group Merck KGaA rose 2.9 per cent, in a sign of relief for those sectors. Among the many questions that remain to be answered, however, is how the EU's promise to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in the US and steeply increase energy purchases can be turned into reality. It was not immediately clear if specific pledges of increased investments were made or whether the details still must be hammered out. And while the EU pledged to make US$750 billion in strategic purchases over the next three years, including oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and nuclear fuel, the US will struggle to produce enough to meet that demand. While US LNG production capacity is due to almost double over the next four years it will still not be enough to ramp up supplies to Europe, and oil production is expected to be lower than previously forecast this year. Despite the lingering unknowns, analysts stressed the deal still helped decrease uncertainty. Oil prices rose on Monday, as did the euro. "Now that there is more clarity, you would think that not only in the United States, but around the globe, there will be a little bit more willingness to look at investment, to look at expansions, and to look at where the opportunities are," said Rodrigo Catril, senior currency strategist at National Australia Bank.

Israeli settlers attack West Bank Christian village: PA
Israeli settlers attack West Bank Christian village: PA

New Straits Times

time34 minutes ago

  • New Straits Times

Israeli settlers attack West Bank Christian village: PA

TEL AVIV: Israeli settlers attacked the Christian Palestinian village of Taybeh in the occupied West Bank, torching cars and spray-painting threatening graffiti, the Palestinian Authority said Monday. "Israeli colonial settlers launched a terror attack tonight on the Christian Palestinian village of Taybeh (Ramallah), setting fire to Palestinian vehicles and spray-painting racist threats in Hebrew on homes and property", the Ramallah-based authority wrote on X. A Taybeh resident, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, told AFP the attack occurred at about 2am (2300 GMT), with at least two vehicles burned. They said one vehicle belonged to a journalist, while noting the damage appeared to target Palestinian property broadly. A photo shared by a Palestinian government agency on X showed graffiti on a Taybeh wall that read: "Al-Mughayyir, you will regret", referring to a nearby village that was also attacked by settlers earlier this year. The Palestinian Authority's foreign ministry condemned the attack, calling it "settler terrorism." Germany's ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, also condemned it, writing on X: "These extremist settlers may claim that God gave them the land. But they are nothing but criminals abhorrent to any faith." Taybeh and its surroundings have experienced several bouts of settler violence in recent months, including an arson attack at an ancient Byzantine church. The village – home to about 1,300 mostly Christian Palestinians, many holding US dual citizenship – is known for its brewery, the oldest in the Palestinian territories. Settlers have attacked neighbouring communities in recent months, resulting in three deaths, damage to Palestinian water wells and the displacement of at least one rural herding community. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. The territory is home to about three million Palestinians and around 700,000 Israeli settlers, including about 200,000 in east Jerusalem. Last week, 71 members of Israel's 120-seat parliament, or Knesset, passed a motion calling on the government to annex the West Bank.

Indian army kills 3 rebels in Kashmir amid ongoing tensions
Indian army kills 3 rebels in Kashmir amid ongoing tensions

The Sun

time34 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Indian army kills 3 rebels in Kashmir amid ongoing tensions

SRINAGAR: Indian security forces shot dead three suspected armed rebels in a wildlife reserve near Srinagar on Monday, escalating tensions in the disputed region. The firefight took place in Dachigam, approximately 30 kilometres from the city, close to the Hindu pilgrimage site of Amarnath. 'Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight,' the Indian army confirmed in a social media statement. Authorities did not disclose the identities of those killed, but an unnamed police officer told AFP the deceased were 'foreigners.' Kashmir remains a flashpoint between India and Pakistan, both of which claim the region in full. The latest clash follows heightened unrest after a May attack on tourists in Pahalgam left 26 dead, mostly Hindus. India blamed Pakistan for supporting the assailants, leading to a brief but deadly military confrontation. While insurgent activity has declined in recent years, sporadic violence persists. Over 350,000 pilgrims are currently visiting Amarnath, raising security concerns. The army stated that operations in the area continue. – AFP

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store