 "US President Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu. Reuters File")
US President Donald Trump has once again expressed support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing an ongoing corruption trial .
Posting on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump described the charges against the Israeli prime minister as “a political witch hunt.”
Trump also criticised prosecutors for what he called a “terrible trial” against Netanyahu, saying, “Let Bibi go.” Notably, “Bibi” is Netanyahu’s nickname.
“He is a war hero and a prime minister who did a fabulous job working with the United States to achieve great success in eliminating the dangerous nuclear threat in Iran,” Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.
“How is it possible that the prime minister of Israel can be forced to sit in a courtroom all day long, over NOTHING (cigars, Bugs Bunny doll, etc.)? It is a POLITICAL WITCH HUNT, very similar to the witch hunt that I was forced to endure.
“This travesty of ‘justice’ will interfere with both Iran and Hamas negotiations. In other words, it is INSANITY, what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu.
“The United States of America spends billions of dollars a year—far more than on any other nation—protecting and supporting Israel. We are not going to stand for this.
“We just had a great victory with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu at the helm—and this greatly tarnishes our victory. LET BIBI GO, HE’S GOT A BIG JOB TO DO!” Trump added.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThis isn’t the first time Trump has spoken out against Netanyahu’s trial. Last week, he made similar comments after a ceasefire was announced between Israel and Iran.
What are the charges against Netanyahu?
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu faces several corruption charges, first filed in 2019, including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. If found guilty, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
Case 1000: Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, are accused of accepting lavish gifts worth about $192,000 from businessmen in exchange for political favours.
Case 2000: Netanyahu is accused of breach of trust for allegedly striking a deal with newspaper owner Arnon Moses for favourable coverage to weaken his political rival, Israel Hayom.
Case 4000: Netanyahu is accused of granting regulatory and financial benefits to the Israeli telecom company Bezeq in exchange for positive coverage of him and his wife on a news website controlled by the company’s former chairman.
Netanyahu denies all the charges and insists the allegations are part of a “witch hunt” against him.