Trump Urges Israel to Drop Charges Against Netanyahu

News Desk

Islamabad: Former U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Israeli authorities to either cancel the ongoing corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or grant him a presidential pardon, describing the legal proceedings as a politically motivated “witch-hunt.”

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump praised Netanyahu as a “Great Hero” and “warrior,” while lashing out at the Israeli justice system for pursuing what he characterized as an unjust case.

“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),” Trump wrote. “Such a WITCH HUNT, for a man who has given so much, is unthinkable to me.”

Netanyahu is currently standing trial on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases. He was indicted in 2019 and has pleaded not guilty. The trial, which began in 2020, recently entered a critical phase of cross-examination, expected to continue for about a year, according to Israeli media.

Despite Trump’s public support, legal experts note that his comments are unlikely to impact the Israeli judicial process. Under Israeli law, only President Isaac Herzog has the authority to issue pardons. Herzog has reportedly stated that such an option is “not currently on the table.”

Trump’s remarks highlight his ongoing loyalty to Netanyahu and come at a complex time in U.S.-Israel relations. Just a day before the statement, Trump had issued a rare rebuke of the Israeli government over its military actions following a recently negotiated ceasefire with Iran.

“Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I’ve never seen before,” Trump told reporters. “I’m not happy with Israel.”

He also criticized both Iran and Israel for their long-standing conflict, saying, “They’ve been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f*** they’re doing.”

While Trump no longer holds public office and has no formal role in foreign judicial matters, his comments underscore his ongoing interest in Middle East politics and close ties to Netanyahu. The Israeli prime minister remains in power, supported by a right-wing coalition, despite the legal challenges he continues to face.

Legal analysts in Israel suggest that while pardons are possible, they are rare in politically sensitive cases and typically considered only after trials are concluded.