KLIK SAJA - Many observers have argued that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military campaigns in Gaza and Iran are strategic moves to divert public attention from the corruption case currently implicating him.
In a controversial statement, U.S. President Donald Trump called on Israel to grant a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—who is standing trial for alleged corruption—or to drop the case altogether.
In a social media post, Trump also claimed that the United States had “saved” Israel—referring to U.S. military intervention in the recent conflict between Israel and Iran—and that it would now also “save” Netanyahu.
The Israeli prime minister has denied all charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, for which he has been on trial since 2020.
Responding to Trump’s statement, Netanyahu posted a message of gratitude: “Thank you for your heartfelt support for me and your tremendous support for Israel.”
However, Israel’s main opposition leader, Yair Lapid, criticized Trump’s comments, stating that he should not “intervene in the legal process of an independent and sovereign state.”
Trump’s remarks came just days after he criticized Israel for launching an attack on Iran, despite having already announced a ceasefire agreement between the two nations following 12 days of missile exchanges.
Netanyahu has repeatedly praised Trump’s decision to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities last Sunday, calling it a “bold” move.
In his post on the Truth Social platform, Trump described Netanyahu as a “great hero who has done so much for Israel,” and referred to him as a “warrior.”
He went on to say that Netanyahu’s trial should be “immediately canceled” or that he should be granted a pardon.
Trump noted that he had learned Netanyahu was scheduled to appear in court on Monday. Netanyahu has attended multiple court hearings since the trial began.
Trump characterized the case against Netanyahu as a “witch hunt”—a term he frequently uses to describe legal investigations into his own actions in the United States. He added, “This travesty of justice cannot be allowed!”
In response to Trump’s statement that “no one I know worked in greater harmony” with him, Netanyahu replied, “We will continue to work together to defeat our common enemies, free the hostages, and quickly expand the circle of peace.”
However, Yair Lapid suggested Trump’s intervention might be a calculated move.
