Trump urges cancellation of Israeli PM Netanyahu’s trial.
In 2019, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, was formally indicted on serious criminal charges, marking a historic and unprecedented moment in the country’s political and legal landscape. The charges against Netanyahu include bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, stemming from multiple corruption cases that had been under investigation for several years. The most severe charge, bribery, is linked to “Case 4000,” in which Netanyahu allegedly granted regulatory favors to the telecom giant Bezeq in exchange for positive media coverage from its news subsidiary, Walla.
The other cases, known as “Case 1000” and “Case 2000,” involve allegations that Netanyahu accepted expensive gifts from wealthy businessmen and tried to manipulate media coverage by striking deals with newspaper publishers. Netanyahu has consistently denied all allegations, claiming he is the victim of a politically motivated witch hunt designed to remove him from power.
His indictment triggered widespread debate across Israel, polarizing public opinion. While his supporters rallied behind him, accusing prosecutors and the media of bias, his critics argued that a leader facing such serious charges should not remain in power. The trial has continued over the years, casting a long shadow over Israeli politics and governance.
On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump made headlines by calling for Israel to either cancel the ongoing corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or issue him a formal pardon. The statement was posted on Truth Social, Trump’s social media platform, and quickly drew widespread international attention.
He added that he had been informed Netanyahu was scheduled to appear in court on Monday, June 30. Trump’s comments reflect his strong and long-standing alliance with Netanyahu and underscore his belief that the Israeli leader is being unfairly targeted.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Israeli media have reported that the cross-examination process is expected to last about a year.
Trump’s remarks also included praise for Netanyahu’s leadership and hinted at U.S. involvement in supporting Israel, particularly in relation to the recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran, announced on June 23. The comment was seen as a reference to U.S. backing of Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, but it remains unclear whether Trump’s statements suggest any concrete American intervention in Netanyahu’s legal proceedings.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who holds the constitutional authority to issue pardons, has reportedly stated that a pardon for Netanyahu is “not currently on the table” and that “no such request had been made” by Netanyahu or his legal team.
Trump’s use of the term “witch hunt” to describe the trial echoes his own repeated characterization of criminal investigations into his conduct in the United States. His intervention in a high-profile legal matter in another sovereign country raises questions about political influence and legal independence in democratic systems.