Latest news with #NetanyahuTrial
Wall Street Journal
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
Trump Tries to Issue a Pardon—in Israel
President Trump has taken up a new cause: the Benjamin Netanyahu innocence project. 'It is a POLITICAL WITCH HUNT, very similar to the Witch Hunt that I was forced to endure,' he wrote on Truth Social on Saturday, one of three posts against the Israeli Prime Minister's trial, which has dragged on since 2020. 'LET BIBI GO, HE'S GOT A BIG JOB TO DO!' The President isn't the first to wonder, 'How is it possible that the Prime Minister of Israel can be forced to sit in a Courtroom all day long, over NOTHING'? At issue are vague breach-of-trust charges over his alleged receipt, from 2007 to 2016, of gifts of cigars and champagne valued at some $200,000 in total, plus a novel legal theory that construes positive news coverage as an illegal bribe. But the workings of Israel's overactive legal system and domestic politics aren't within a U.S. President's purview. We doubt Mr. Trump is familiar with the details of the Netanyahu case, nor should he be. It isn't America's place to say, as Mr. Trump has, that 'Bibi Netanyahu's trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY,' or to threaten, 'We are not going to stand for this' after mentioning U.S. military aid. That aid furthers a strategic purpose, as all the world saw this June in Iran, not a political one. We criticized Joe Biden in 2023 for intervening in Israel's judicial debate. That looked like an effort to topple Mr. Netanyahu, whereas Mr. Trump's is to prop him up. Neither is appropriate for an ally, and neither is in the long-term interest of the U.S.-Israel alliance.
Al Jazeera
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Trump defends Netanyahu, attacks Israeli prosecutors over corruption trial
United States President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on Israeli prosecutors over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ongoing corruption trial, calling it 'insanity' and linking Washington's financial support to the proceedings. Posting on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump lashed out at Israeli authorities for undermining Netanyahu's ability to negotiate with the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza and manage mounting tensions with Iran. 'It is INSANITY doing what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu,' Trump wrote, referring to the Israeli leader with his nickname and claiming his trial would obstruct peace efforts in the region. 'The United States of America spends billions of dollars a year … protecting and supporting Israel. We are not going to stand for this,' he added. Netanyahu is set to take the stand on Monday for cross-examination in a long-running corruption case that began in 2020. He faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust – all of which he denies. His lawyers had requested a two-week delay in testimony, citing national security demands following Israel's recent 12-day conflict with Iran. That appeal was rejected on Friday. Members of Israel's Knesset have accused Netanyahu of using the regional conflicts to secure an end to his corruption trial. '[Netanyahu] is conditioning the future of Israel and our children on his trial,' Naama Lazimi, Knesset member from the Democrats Party, told The Times of Israel newspaper. Karine Elharrar, Knesset member from Yesh Atid party, warned that Netanyahu is 'acting against the Israeli public interest' by linking his legal fate with captive negotiations and regional normalisation agreements. ICC arrest warrant Netanyahu's legal troubles include an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued last year for him and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant. The charges include war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel's war on Gaza, beginning in October 2023. Both leaders have called the arrest warrant 'anti-Semitic'. Trump's comments come just days after he suggested a ceasefire deal with Hamas may be close. Speaking to reporters, he claimed Netanyahu was engaged in negotiations with the Palestinian group, though no further details were provided. Hamas has stated it would free remaining Israeli captives in Gaza as part of a deal to end the war, but has rejected Israeli demands for total disarmament. Netanyahu responded to Trump's defence with a post on X: 'Thank you again, @realDonaldTrump. Together, we will make the Middle East Great Again!' Calls for Netanyahu to resign The political turmoil in Israel has deepened, with renewed calls for Netanyahu's resignation. In a televised interview with Channel 12, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said it was time for Netanyahu to step aside. 'He has been in power for 20 years … that's too much,' said Bennett. 'He bears heavy responsibility for the divisions in Israeli society.' Bennett, who has taken a break from politics, is reportedly eyeing a return, with polls suggesting he could challenge Netanyahu once more.
Times of Oman
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
"Political witch hunt": Trump on continuation of trial against Israeli PM Netanyahu
Washington DC: US President Donald Trump on Saturday (US local time) called the continuation of the trial against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "political witch hunt". The remarks come as the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is currently on trial for three separate alleged corruption charges, known as Case 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000, involving allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, as reported by Anadolu Agency. However, Netanyahu had consistently denied all accusations, dismissing them as "fake". Expressing anguish in a post on Truth Social, the US President stated that it is a terrible situation where the Israeli PM has to spend time in the courtroom while he is in the middle of negotiating a deal with Hamas. "It is terrible what they are doing in Israel to Bibi Netanyahu. He is 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. Importantly, he is right now in the process of negotiating a Deal with Hamas, which will include getting the Hostages back. 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," Trump wrote. Underscoring the unjust nature of the action, Trump said that the travesty of "Justice" will interfere with both Iran and Hamas negotiations. "This travesty of "Justice" will interfere with both Iran and Hamas negotiations. 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 dollars a year, far more than on any other Nation, protecting and supporting Israel. We are not going to stand for this. 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!" he wrote. Netanyahu's trial, which began in May 2020, marks the first time a sitting Israeli prime minister has taken the stand as a criminal defendant and under Israeli law, Netanyahu is not obligated to resign unless convicted by the Supreme Court, Anadolu Agency reported. In addition to that, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague had also issued arrest warrants against the Israeli PM, accusing him of "crimes against humanity and war crimes". The charges include allegations of targeting civilians and enforcing policies of starvation in Gaza. Earlier on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump has called for the "immediate" cancellation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ongoing corruption trial, denouncing the proceedings as a politically motivated "witch hunt" by the Israeli judiciary, noting that it will be the US that will 'save' Israeli PM. According to Trump, the charges against Netanyahu, which include bribery and fraud in multiple cases, are politically motivated and based on trivial allegations, including "cigars, a Bugs Bunny doll, and numerous other unfair charges". He characterised the case as a "horror show" that has dragged on since 2020, making Netanyahu the first sitting Israeli Prime Minister ever to face trial while in office, as per Anadolu Agency.
Russia Today
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Netanyahu's corruption trial should be ‘canceled'
US President Donald Trump has called for an end to the corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, days after Israel and Iran reached a ceasefire. Trump showered his Middle Eastern ally with praise in a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday evening. 'Bibi Netanyahu was a WARRIOR, like perhaps no other Warrior in the History of Israel,' he wrote. He hailed Netanyahu's leadership during Israel's conflict with Iran and slammed the allegations against him as 'politically motivated.' 'Such a WITCH HUNT, for a man who has given so much, is unthinkable to me,' the US president wrote. 'Bibi Netanyahu's trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero, who has done so much for the State.' Netanyahu, whose trial began in 2020, denies any wrongdoing in three separate cases involving charges of corruption and influence peddling. He is Israel's first sitting prime minister to take the stand as a criminal defendant. Under Israeli law, Netanyahu is not required to resign unless convicted by the Supreme Court. Netanyahu has praised Trump's support for Israel and his 'historic' decision to carry out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22. The ceasefire, which ended nearly two weeks of open hostilities between Iran and Israel, took effect on Tuesday and has so far been upheld.
ABC News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Donald Trump calls for Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial to be cancelled
US President Donald Trump has called for Israel to pardon Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or cancel his corruption trial, saying the US would save him like it did his country. Mr Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 in Israel on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust — all of which he 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 his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, local time. He said he had learned that Mr Netanyahu was due to appear in court on Monday. Israel's opposition leader Yair Lapid said the US president should keep out of the matter. "With all due respect and gratitude to the president of the United States, he's not supposed to intervene in a legal process of an independent state," Mr Lapid told Israeli news website Ynet. "I hope and suppose that this is a reward he (Trump) is giving him (Netanyahu) because he is planning to pressure him on Gaza and force, to force him into a hostage deal that will end the war." Mr Trump extolled Mr Netanyahu as a "warrior" but also 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 program. It was unclear if Mr Trump meant the US could do anything to aid 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 and the same term Mr Netanyahu has used to describe his own long-running trial. The warm words contrasted with the rare rebuke he issued on Tuesday over Israel's post-ceasefire strikes on Iran. Reuters
