Washington: US President Donald Trump has called for the immediate dismissal of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ongoing corruption trial, citing Netanyahu's significant contributions to Israel's national security. Trump's remarks were made on Wednesday through his Truth Social platform, where he expressed his astonishment over the continuation of what he termed a "ridiculous witch hunt" against Netanyahu, whom he described as Israel's "Great War Time Prime Minister."
According to Anadolu Agency, Trump passionately defended Netanyahu, highlighting his role as a "warrior" who faced immense challenges while combating Iran, a long-standing adversary of Israel. Trump praised Netanyahu for achieving what was once deemed impossible: the complete dismantling of a major nuclear threat.
Trump further criticized the legal proceedings against Netanyahu, which he described as politically motivated. He dismissed the allegations involving "cigars, a Bugs Bunny doll, and numerous other unfair charges" as part of a baseless witch hunt. He insisted that Netanyahu deserves better treatment from Israel and called for the trial to be "CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY," or for a pardon to be granted to Netanyahu, lauded as a "Great Hero" for his service to the State of Israel.
Netanyahu is embroiled in three separate corruption cases - Case 1,000, Case 2,000, and Case 4,000 - which involve allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The charges were formally filed in 2019, and Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing, labeling the accusations as "fake." His trial, which commenced on May 24, 2020, marks the first time a sitting Israeli leader has appeared in court as a criminal defendant.
Israeli law stipulates that Netanyahu is not obligated to resign unless he is convicted by the Supreme Court, a legal process that could extend over several months. In addition to the corruption charges, Netanyahu is also facing international legal challenges. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. These charges relate to the deaths of over 56,000 people, predominantly women and children, since October 7, 2023.