The president of the United States, Donald Trump, publicly called for Israel to cancel the corruption trial against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or to grant him a pardon.
Through a post on his social network Truth Social, Trump described Netanyahu as a "great hero" and a "warrior," and suggested that he should be exonerated for everything he has done for the State of Israel.
"Bibi Netanyahu's trial should be CANCELED, IMMEDIATELY, or he should be granted a pardon," Trump wrote, indicating that he had learned Netanyahu would appear before the court the following Monday.
Netanyahu was charged in 2019 in Israel with alleged bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three criminal cases. He has denied all the accusations and has pleaded not guilty. His trial began in 2020 and has been a central topic in Israeli politics in recent years.
Trump compared the judicial process against Netanyahu to the political persecution against him in the United States, once again using the term "witch hunt," just as Netanyahu has repeatedly done regarding his own accusations.
