US President Donald Trump has called for Israel to "pardon" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on trial for alleged corruption, or drop the case altogether. In a social media post, Trump also claimed the US had saved Israel - alluding to its intervention in Israel's war with Iran - and would now also "save" Netanyahu. The Israeli prime minister denies charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, for which he has been on trial since 2020. Israel's main opposition leader Yair Lapid criticised Trump's statement, saying he should not "intervene in a legal process of an independent state". Trump's post comes days after he rebuked Israel for attacking Iran after he announced a ceasefire deal. Netanyahu has repeatedly praised Trump's decision to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities on Sunday, calling it a "bold" move. Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump described his long-time ally as a "great hero, who has done so much" for Israel, and a "warrior". He said Netanyahu's trial should be "cancelled immediately" or he should be given a pardon, adding that he learned Netanyahu was due to appear in court on Monday. Netanyahu has appeared in court multiple times since the trial started. Trump described the case against Netanyahu as a "witch hunt" - a term he repeatedly used to describe investigations into his own alleged wrongdoing in the US. But Yair Lapid suggested the attempted intervention might be part of a calculated move by Trump. "I hope and suppose that this is a reward [Trump] is giving [Netanyahu] because he is planning to pressure him on Gaza and force, to force him into a hostage deal that will end the war," Yair Lapid told Israeli news website Ynet. Netanyahu's trials have been taking place against the backdrop of the conflicts Israel has been engaged in since the deadly and unprecedented 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, leading to delays in the legal proceedings. In particular, the length of the war against Hamas in Gaza has led to claims by some that Netanyahu wants to prolong the fighting to delay elections and the conclusion of his trials.
Trump calls for end to Netanyahu corruption trial
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Trump Urges Pardon or Dismissal of Netanyahu's Corruption Charges"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
US President Donald Trump has recently called for Israel to either pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or drop the corruption charges against him. This statement was made on Trump's social media platform, where he also claimed that the United States had previously saved Israel during its conflict with Iran and would now come to Netanyahu's aid. Netanyahu has been facing serious allegations including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, charges he vehemently denies. Since the start of his trial in 2020, Netanyahu has appeared in court multiple times. Trump's post comes in the context of heightened tensions in the region, particularly following his criticism of Israel’s military actions against Iran after announcing a ceasefire deal. In his support, Trump referred to Netanyahu as a 'great hero' and a 'warrior', suggesting that the ongoing trial is a politically motivated 'witch hunt', a term he has frequently used in reference to investigations into his own conduct in the United States.
The response to Trump's call for intervention has not been universally positive. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned Trump's remarks, asserting that he should refrain from interfering in the legal matters of an independent country. Lapid speculated that Trump's comments might be strategically motivated, potentially aimed at pressuring Netanyahu regarding ongoing conflicts, particularly in Gaza. He suggested that this could be seen as a reward for Netanyahu amidst ongoing negotiations and military actions stemming from the recent Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The backdrop of war has complicated Netanyahu's legal situation, with some critics arguing that he may seek to prolong military engagements to delay elections and the resolution of his trial. This complex interplay of legal, political, and military dynamics continues to unfold as Netanyahu's trial progresses amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
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