"I was shocked to hear that Israel, which has just experienced one of the greatest moments in its history under the strong leadership of Bibi Netanyahu, is continuing this ridiculous witch hunt against the Great Wartime Prime Minister," former US President Donald Trump wrote on social media on 25/6, referring to the trial that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing.
Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The trial began in 2020, examining three related cases simultaneously, although Netanyahu has consistently denied all charges. The cross-examination phase of Netanyahu's trial began on 3/6 but has been delayed for several days due to the conflict with Iran. It is scheduled to resume on 30/6.
"Netanyahu’s trial needs to be dropped immediately, or he needs to be pardoned. He's a great hero who has given so much to Israel," Trump wrote, declaring that America saved Israel and "now America will save Bibi Netanyahu."
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a press conference in Jerusalem on 21/5. Photo: AFP |
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a press conference in Jerusalem on 21/5. Photo: AFP
Trump praised the Israeli prime minister as "a warrior who has just walked through hell and fought valiantly against a formidable opponent, Iran." The former US leader stressed that Israel could have suffered heavy losses and chaos without Netanyahu's leadership.
"We have achieved results that no one expected: the complete destruction of one of the largest and most powerful nuclear arsenals in the world. We fought together for the survival of Israel. No one in Israeli history has fought as hard and as well as Bibi Netanyahu," Trump declared.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog later stated that no party had proposed a pardon for Prime Minister Netanyahu, and he himself had not considered this option. Israeli media viewed Trump's statements as unprecedented interference by a former US president in the Israeli judicial system.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has not commented on Trump's statement. A spokesperson for Likud, the ruling party led by Netanyahu, shared a Hebrew translation of Trump's post.
Thanh Danh (Times of Israel, Reuters)
