US President Donald Trump has called for Israel to either pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or dismiss the ongoing corruption trial against him. In a post on his social media platform, Trump emphasized that the US had played a significant role in protecting Israel amid its conflict with Iran and suggested that it should also come to the aid of Netanyahu, who has been on trial since 2020 for charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, all of which he denies.
Trump's backing of Netanyahu follows a period of escalated hostilities between Israel and Iran, which has seen intense military exchanges. Netanyahu has praised Trump's recent decision to launch a strike against Iranian nuclear sites, labeling it a courageous action. In his statement, Trump referred to Netanyahu as a "great hero" and a "warrior," reiterating that the accusations against him represent a "witch hunt," a phrase commonly associated with Trump's own legal challenges within the US.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid has spoken out against Trump's intervention, arguing that outside influence on Israel's legal matters is inappropriate for a sovereign nation. He suggested that Trump's support might be intended as a reciprocal gesture, possibly to influence Netanyahu's stance on matters concerning Gaza and hostages linked to the ongoing conflict.
As Netanyahu continues to navigate his trials amidst Israel's ongoing military operations following the October 7 Hamas attacks, the issues surrounding his legal proceedings have sparked intense political debate. Many speculate that Netanyahu's desire to extend the conflict could be aimed at delaying electoral processes and the resolutions of his legal issues.
