U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly condemned Israeli prosecutors overseeing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial, labelling the situation as “insanity”. Trump’s remarks echo a broader political sentiment that the trial threatens to destabilise critical negotiations in the Middle East, particularly in relation to Hamas and rising tensions with Iran.
Posting on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump laid the blame for Netanyahu’s ongoing legal troubles squarely on the shoulders of Israeli authorities, alleging that their actions hinder Netanyahu’s ability to lead effectively. “It is INSANITY doing what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu,” Trump wrote, using the prime minister’s nickname. He further complained that the trial could obstruct peace efforts, stating, “The United States of America spends billions of dollars a year … protecting and supporting Israel. We are not going to stand for this.”
Currently embroiled in a long-standing corruption case, Netanyahu is due to take the stand on Monday for cross-examination. He faces serious allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, all of which he vehemently denies. Legal representatives for Netanyahu had unsuccessfully sought a two-week delay in testimony, arguing that national security concerns following a recent 12-day conflict with Iran warranted such measures.
As tensions mount domestically, members of Israel’s Knesset have accused Netanyahu of leveraging the regional conflicts to secure a favourable outcome in his trial. Naama Lazimi, a Knesset member from the Democrats Party, remarked, “[Netanyahu] is conditioning the future of Israel and our children on his trial.” Similarly, Karine Elharrar from the Yesh Atid party cautioned that the Prime Minister is “acting against the Israeli public interest” by intertwining his legal predicaments with sensitive negotiations regarding hostage exchanges and regional agreements.
Netanyahu’s legal woes have escalated further with the issuance of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court last year, which targets both him and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant. This warrant cites allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the military actions in Gaza that commenced in October 2023. Both leaders have dismissed the charges as “anti-Semitic”.
Addicks to the escalating tension, Trump recently suggested that a ceasefire deal with Hamas could be on the horizon, claiming that Netanyahu was engaged in talks, yet didn’t divulge further particulars. Hamas has indicated a willingness to release the remaining Israeli captives as a precondition for concluding hostilities, albeit rejecting Israeli demands for total disarmament.
With the political climate in Israel growing increasingly turbulent, calls for Netanyahu’s resignation have re-emerged. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stated in a Channel 12 interview, “He has been in power for 20 years … that’s too much.” Bennett, who has stepped back from political life, has expressed intentions to return, sensing that public sentiment might favour a shift in leadership as many polls suggest a resurgence of interest in challenging Netanyahu.