Calling it a “witch hunt” against a loyal ally, President Donald Trump has been angered by the ongoing political plot Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces.
Specifically, the president has boldly demanded the cancellation of the prime minister’s corruption trial.
President Trump’s passionate defense comes after the United States helped Israel navigate its recent conflict with Iran.
The president’s intervention has sparked both support from Netanyahu loyalists and fierce criticism from opposition leaders who claim it represents foreign interference in Israel’s judicial system.
In a strong statement on Truth Social, President Trump defended the Israeli leader:
“Such a WITCH HUNT, for a man who has given so much, is unthinkable to me. He deserves much better than this, and so does the State of Israel. Bibi Netanyahu’s trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero.”
Netanyahu currently faces serious charges including fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes across three separate cases.
The allegations include claims that he exchanged regulatory favors for positive media coverage and accepted expensive gifts from wealthy businessmen Arnon Milchan and James Packer.
Netanyahu has consistently denied all charges, echoing President Trump’s characterization of the proceedings as a politically motivated “witch hunt.”
The president’s defense of Netanyahu comes on the heels of a tense period during which America played a crucial role in the conflict between Israel and Iran.
“Bibi and I just went through HELL together, fighting a very tough and brilliant longtime enemy of Israel, Iran, and Bibi could not have been better, sharper, or stronger in his LOVE for the incredible Holy Land,” President Trump wrote.
The president made his position even clearer when he declared: “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.”
Netanyahu’s trial has faced numerous delays, with a verdict not expected until 2026.
Some critics, including opposition figures, have accused the prime minister of deliberately extending the Gaza conflict to delay both his trial and potential elections that could remove him from power.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid strongly rejected President Trump’s intervention.
He stated: “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.”
This sentiment was echoed by Gilad Kariv, a parliamentarian from the Democrats party, who invoked religious principles.
“The Jewish tradition teaches us that no person is above the law. Not even a prime minister,” Kariv said.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu loyalists welcomed President Trump’s support. Lawmakers Shlomo Karhi and Miki Zohar expressed appreciation for the president’s stance.
However, other conservative figures like Simcha Rothman maintained that foreign interference in Israel’s legal system should be opposed regardless of political alignment.
President Trump’s comments highlight the strong alliance between conservative leaders facing what many supporters see as politically motivated legal challenges.
Just as President Trump has faced his own legal battles that many view as politically motivated persecution, he sees Netanyahu’s situation through a similar lens.
While Israeli President Isaac Herzog technically has the power to pardon Netanyahu, he has stated that such a move is “not currently on the table.”
Recent polls show Netanyahu’s popularity received only a slight boost following the conflict with Iran, leaving his political future uncertain as the legal proceedings continue to unfold.
