"After receiving explanations, we partially accept the request and cancel the trial scheduled for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week," the Israeli court said in a ruling published today by Likud, Netanyahu's ruling party.

The trial was initially scheduled for 30/6. Netanyahu's lawyers had requested the judge not to summon him for the next two weeks so he could focus on security matters following the ceasefire with Iran and amid ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press in the US in February. Photo: AFP

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press in the US in February. Photo: AFP

The lawyers also submitted Netanyahu's schedule to the court, demonstrating that he must "devote all his time and energy to political, national, and security matters as required by the nation."

The court initially rejected the lawyers' request but announced a change of decision after hearing arguments from the prime minister, the head of military intelligence Aman, and the Mossad foreign intelligence agency.

Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The trial, which began in 2020, is examining three related cases simultaneously, though Netanyahu denies all charges. His supporters believe the protracted trial is politically motivated.

The cross-examination phase of Netanyahu's trial began on 3/6 but was delayed for several days due to the conflict with Iran.

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump called on the Israeli court to cancel Netanyahu's trial, calling it a "witch hunt" and emphasizing the prime minister's wartime role. Trump stressed that Israel could have suffered heavy losses and chaos without Netanyahu's leadership.

Israeli media described Trump's statements as "unprecedented interference" by a US president in the Israeli judicial system.

Huyen Le (According to AFP)