Says US “saved Israel, will now save Netanyahu”; labels trial a political “witch hunt”
WASHINGTON: Former US President Donald Trump has called on Israel to immediately cancel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial or issue him a pardon, calling the Israeli leader a “great hero” and a “warrior.”
In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump wrote, “Bibi Netanyahu’s trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a pardon given to a great hero who has done so much for the State [of Israel].” He added that the United States, which he claimed had “saved” Israel, would now also “save” Netanyahu.
The comments come amid Netanyahu’s ongoing legal battle, which began in 2020 and involves three separate corruption cases. The Israeli Prime Minister was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust — allegations he has consistently denied. His trial is currently in the cross-examination stage in a Tel Aviv court and is expected to stretch over the next year.
While Israeli President Isaac Herzog holds the authority to issue a presidential pardon, local media reports indicate that no such request has been submitted and a pardon is not currently under consideration.
Trump’s remarks also appeared to reference US military and diplomatic backing for Israel, particularly regarding its actions against Iran’s nuclear program. “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,” Trump declared.
The former US president likened Netanyahu’s trial to the legal challenges he himself is facing, describing it as a “witch hunt” — a term Trump frequently uses in reference to his own criminal indictments.
Interestingly, the endorsement came just a day after Trump had openly criticized Israel for launching airstrikes on Iran immediately after a ceasefire deal had reportedly been reached. Speaking to reporters, he expressed frustration over Israel’s actions, saying, “As soon as we made the deal, they came out and dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I’ve never seen before… I’m not happy with Israel.”
He went on to comment on the broader conflict, adding, “They’ve been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f** they’re doing.”*
Trump’s remarks have stirred reactions in both US and Israeli political circles, with analysts noting the unusual directness of his criticism alongside his strong support for Netanyahu’s legal defense.
