US President Donald Trump has mounted a fierce defense of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling his corruption trial a politically motivated “Witch Hunt.” In a long post on his Truth Social site on Wednesday, Trump expressed disbelief that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, whom he hailed as a “Great War Time Prime Minister,” faced trial after several years of close collaboration between them on foreign affairs.
Donald Trump typed, “Bibi and I battled together against a very difficult and smart longtime Israeli adversary, Iran,” using Netanyahu’s widely popular nickname. Outraged at the accusations, he continued, “I couldn’t believe it when I heard he was heading to court. He’s a WARRIOR, like maybe no other Warrior in the History of Israel.”
The 79-year-old Republican called for Israel to revoke Netanyahu’s trial or grant a pardon, saying, “Now it is going to be the United States of America that saves Bibi Netanyahu. THIS TRAVESTY OF ‘JUSTICE’ CAN NOT BE ALLOWED!”
Why Is Netanyahu on Trial?
Benjamin Netanyahu has been subject to legal scrutiny since December 2016. Israeli police investigated several allegations of corruption, including formal indictments made in November 2019. His trial opened in May 2020 at the Jerusalem District Court, and as of July 2024, prosecutors had presented 333 witnesses. Netanyahu’s defense team opened its arguments in December 2024.
Three high-profile cases—referred to as Case 1000, Case 2000, and Case 4000—are the basis of the charges.
- Case 1000 accuses Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, of accepting gifts amounting to some NIS 700,000 ($200,000) worth of cigars and champagne from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, in return for political favors.
- Case 2000 concerns Netanyahu seeking favorable coverage by newspaper owner Arnon Mozes in return for restraint by him against a competing outlet.
- Case 4000, the most severe, involves Netanyahu allegedly promising regulatory favors to telecom magnate Shaul Elovitch in exchange for favorable news stories on the Walla website.
All charges were denied by Netanyahu, who described them as political. He says they are part of a conspiracy between the state prosecution and law enforcement aimed at ousting him from office.