US President Donald Trump has ignited controversy by demanding Israel halt the corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or grant him a pardon.
Labeling the legal proceedings a “witch-hunt,” Trump argued that Netanyahu, indicted in 2019 for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, deserves reprieve as a “Great Hero” for his contributions to Israel.
The call, posted on Truth Social on Wednesday, comes as Netanyahu faces cross-examination in a Tel Aviv court, a process expected to last a year.
Trump’s assertion that the US will “save” Netanyahu mirrors his claim that America previously “saved” Israel, though his ability to influence a foreign legal process remains unclear.
The intervention drew sharp criticism from Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, who insisted that Trump refrain from meddling in an independent nation’s judicial affairs.
“With all due respect to Trump, he should not interfere in a legal process in an independent country,” Lapid told Ynet, suggesting the US president’s support may be tied to pressuring Netanyahu on Gaza ceasefire terms.
Similarly, Ariel Kellner of Netanyahu’s Likud party rejected foreign interference, urging Israel’s judicial system to reflect internally.
However, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir endorsed Trump’s stance, claiming the trial is a “deep state” plot to undermine democracy and calling for urgent judicial reform.
Netanyahu’s trial, ongoing since 2020 across three criminal cases, has long polarized Israel’s political landscape.
Trump’s comments, while praising Netanyahu as a “warrior,” contrast with his recent criticism of Israel’s post-ceasefire strikes on Iran, revealing a complex dynamic.
By framing the trial as an unjust persecution, Trump aligns with Netanyahu’s own narrative, yet his intervention risks further straining US-Israel relations by challenging Israel’s sovereignty.
As the trial progresses, the debate over foreign influence and judicial independence underscores deeper tensions within Israel’s political system, with no clear resolution in sight.