Former U.S. President Donald Trump has come out strongly in defense of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, condemning the ongoing corruption trial against the Israeli leader. Trump declared on Saturday that the United States, which provides billions in annual support to Israel, will not stand for Netanyahu’s continued prosecution.
TRUMP TAKES TO TRUTH SOCIAL
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump criticized the legal proceedings against Netanyahu, framing them as politically motivated.
“The United States of America spends Billions of Dollars a year, far more than on any other Nation, protecting and supporting Israel. We are not going to stand for this,” Trump stated emphatically.
Netanyahu responded on X (formerly Twitter), expressing gratitude to Trump. “Thank you again. Together, we will make the Middle East great again!”
COURT REJECTS NETANYAHU’S PLEA
On Friday, an Israeli court dismissed Netanyahu’s request to postpone his testimony in his ongoing corruption trial. His lawyers argued that the Israeli leader needed to prioritize pressing security issues, but the court found the justification insufficient.
Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, are accused of accepting over $260,000 worth of luxury gifts, including cigars, jewelry, and champagne, in exchange for political favors. Additionally, Netanyahu faces charges of attempting to negotiate favorable media coverage with two prominent Israeli outlets.
The embattled leader denies any wrongdoing, claiming the allegations are part of a broader conspiracy to discredit him.
TRUMP CALLS CASE A “WITCH HUNT”
Echoing his defense of Netanyahu, Trump labeled the legal proceedings against the Israeli prime minister as a “witch hunt.” He likened Netanyahu’s challenges to his own legal battles in the U.S., calling them politically motivated attacks designed to derail leadership.
“It is a POLITICAL WITCH HUNT, very similar to the Witch Hunt that I was forced to endure,” Trump wrote.
Trump further lauded Netanyahu as a “War Hero,” emphasizing the potential distractions the trial could pose to critical negotiations with Hamas and Iran.
ONGOING STRIFE AND GLOBAL IMPLICATIONS
Netanyahu’s trial unfolds amid intense political and military challenges. Talks are underway to secure the release of 49 hostages still held by Hamas following the group’s October 2023 assault on Israel. This includes efforts to retrieve bodies of those killed in the attack.
Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza has also drawn widespread international attention and scrutiny. Amid the chaos, Netanyahu’s leadership remains under the microscope, with his critics accusing him of using security concerns to avoid legal accountability.
A PARALLEL TO TRUMP’S LEGAL STRUGGLES
Trump, no stranger to legal battles, drew parallels between Netanyahu’s situation and his own convictions. Trump was found guilty in May 2024 on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments. He also faces federal charges concerning efforts to overturn the 2020 U.S. presidential election results.
Trump’s staunch defense of Netanyahu has added another layer to the ongoing debate about the Israeli leader’s corruption trial, as observers worldwide watch how these intertwined political and legal narratives unfold.
