Trump Rallies Behind Netanyahu, Slams Israeli Prosecutors Amid Corruption Trial
WafricNews – June 29, 2025
Washington – In a characteristically fiery outburst, U.S. President Donald Trump has come out swinging in defense of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing Israeli prosecutors of sabotaging Netanyahu’s leadership at a critical geopolitical moment.
Trump, speaking through his Truth Social platform on Saturday, condemned the ongoing corruption trial facing Netanyahu as “insanity,” even suggesting that the billions in annual U.S. support for Israel should not continue under such circumstances.
“It is INSANITY doing what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu,” Trump wrote. “The United States of America spends billions of dollars a year … protecting and supporting Israel. We are not going to stand for this.”
The remarks come as Netanyahu prepares to take the witness stand on Monday in a corruption case that has dragged on since 2020. The charges—bribery, fraud, and breach of trust—are ones he has consistently denied. A request by his legal team to delay proceedings due to national security concerns following a brief but tense conflict with Iran was rejected by the court on Friday.
Critics inside Israel say Netanyahu is leveraging regional instability, including the recent Gaza conflict and tensions with Iran, to deflect from his legal troubles. Opposition lawmakers argue that Netanyahu’s ongoing trial is influencing major policy decisions, including efforts toward ceasefire deals and negotiations over Israeli hostages in Gaza.
“Netanyahu is conditioning the future of Israel and our children on his trial,” said Naama Lazimi of the Democrats Party.
Karine Elharrar of Yesh Atid warned that Netanyahu is “acting against the Israeli public interest” by intertwining his personal legal survival with sensitive national issues.
Legal Pressure Mounts—At Home and Abroad
In addition to domestic legal woes, Netanyahu also faces international scrutiny. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest in 2024, citing war crimes during Israel’s military operations in Gaza that began in October 2023. Former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant is also named in the warrant. Both leaders have denounced the charges as politically motivated and anti-Semitic.
Trump’s comments came just days after he hinted that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas might be close, though no official statements have confirmed that progress. Hamas, for its part, has said it would release remaining Israeli captives in exchange for an end to the war but has rejected calls for full disarmament.
Netanyahu acknowledged Trump’s vocal support with a post on X:
“Thank you again, @realDonaldTrump. Together, we will make the Middle East Great Again!”
Growing Calls for Netanyahu to Step Down
Meanwhile, domestic pressure on Netanyahu is intensifying. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, speaking to Channel 12, said it was time for Netanyahu to “step aside,” pointing to his decades-long grip on power as a source of national division.
“He has been in power for 20 years … that’s too much,” Bennett said, hinting at a potential political comeback.
Polls suggest that Bennett could pose a serious challenge if new elections are called, adding another layer of political uncertainty to Israel’s already volatile landscape.
As Trump continues to inject himself into Israeli politics, the international community watches closely—concerned that personal loyalties and legal battles may be shaping decisions in one of the world’s most sensitive conflict zones.
By WafricNews Desk.
By WafricNews Desk.
Comment
To post a comment, you have to login first
LoginNo Comments Yet...