United States President Donald Trump has publicly criticised the ongoing corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning that the United States would not tolerate what he described as an unfair prosecution.
Writing on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump declared: “The United States of America spends Billions of Dollar a year, far more than on any other Nation, protecting and supporting Israel. We are not going to stand for this.”
Trump’s comments follow an Israeli court decision on Friday that rejected Netanyahu’s request to delay giving evidence in the corruption case against him. The judges ruled that the prime minister had failed to provide sufficient grounds to postpone his testimony.
Netanyahu, alongside his wife Sara, is accused in one case of accepting gifts worth more than $260,000—including cigars, champagne, and jewellery—from wealthy businessmen in exchange for political favours. In two other cases, he is alleged to have sought favourable media coverage in return for regulatory benefits.
The Israeli leader denies all charges.
Trump, who has long been an ally of Netanyahu, renewed his support this week, likening the legal proceedings to the investigations he himself faced. “It is a POLITICAL WITCH HUNT, very similar to the Witch Hunt that I was forced to endure,” he posted, referring to the multiple legal cases brought against him during and after his presidency.
He further described Netanyahu as a “War Hero”, claiming the ongoing trial risked distracting the Israeli leader at a crucial time in Israel’s conflict with Hamas and tensions with Iran.
“This travesty of ‘Justice’ will interfere with both Iran and Hamas negotiations,” Trump added, though he did not elaborate on the nature of any negotiations involving Iran.
Earlier this week, Netanyahu’s lawyers had asked the court to excuse him from attending proceedings for the next fortnight, citing urgent security concerns. That request was dismissed.
Israel remains locked in a protracted war with Hamas, following the October 7, 2023, attack in which militants reportedly captured 251 hostages. Of those, 49 are still believed to be in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military believes are no longer alive. Talks are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining hostages and the bodies of those killed. Israel has since launched a relentless bombardment of Gaza, killing over 56,100, mostly women and children.
Trump’s remarks come as he deals with his own legal challenges. In May 2024, he was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records over hush money payments linked to a former adult film actress. He also faces additional federal charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which he lost to President Joe Biden.
