Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a court to delay his scheduled testimony in his long-running corruption trial, citing pressing national security concerns following recent regional conflicts.
The request comes in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s public call for the trial to be cancelled entirely.
Netanyahu’s lawyer, Amit Hadad, submitted the petition on Thursday, asking the tribunal to cancel the hearings slated for the next two weeks.
The filing stressed that the prime minister must focus all his efforts on managing critical national, diplomatic, and security issues following a recent brief conflict with Iran and ongoing bombardment in Gaza, where Israeli hostages are still held.
President Trump had earlier described Netanyahu’s trial as a “witch hunt” and called for the case to be “CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a pardon given to a great hero” following the recent 12-day war with Iran.
Netanyahu responded by expressing gratitude for Trump’s support and emphasised their shared commitment to defeating common enemies, securing the release of hostages, and expanding peace.
However, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid warned Trump against interfering in the country’s judicial affairs, underscoring Israel’s judicial independence.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, has consistently denied the corruption charges against him since the trial began in May 2020.
The cases include allegations that he and his wife accepted luxury gifts valued at over $260,000 from billionaires in return for political favours, and accusations that Netanyahu sought more favourable media coverage in two separate cases.
