Trump's Pledged Intervention in Netanyahu's Corruption Court Cases Alarms Israelis
American-Israeli Tumbleweeds:
Donald Trumps' outrageous request to cancel Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial has stoked a tempest in Israel's political teapot, leaving some of its political heavyweights squirming just days after they hailed his strikes against Iran.
Trump's social media broadside, branding the trial a "WITCH HUNT," and his swagger that he'd save Netanyahu from grave corruption charges, came after he scuttled an Israeli air raid in Iran to preserve a truce.
Such intervention in an ally's affairs was once a no-no for U.S. administrations, who insisted Israel was a sovereign nation making its own decisions. But, the man virtually everyone in Israel supports has cozied up to the one who polarizes them.
As Yair Lapid sneered, "With all due respect, Trumps not supposed to meddle in a legal process in an independent nation."
Trump's Persistent Plea
In an extended Truth Social rant, Trump trashed Netanyahu's trial with the same language both leaders have used to needle their legal woes. Both argue they're the victims of biased media, crooked cops, and snooping political foes.
"I was floored to learn that Israel, fresh off of one of its most triumphant moments, and powerfully led by Bibi Netanyahu, is continuing its senseless witch hunt against its valiant wartime prime minister!" Trump ranted, using a common nickname for Netanyahu.
"Bibi Netanyahu's trial needs to cease, forthwith, or grant a Great Hero a Pardon! ... It'll be the United States of America that'll save Bibi Netanyahu," Trump spouted.
Netanyahu's allies cheered Trump, while a Netanyahu Likud party spokesperson translated the post into Hebrew. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, once a Netanyahu challenger, now a Cabinet crony, mused, "When the U.S. president calls for a trial annulment or a pardon, can anyone say he's wrong?"
Netanyahu, himself, penned a post to Trump saying he was "deeply touched by your heartfelt support, and your phenomenal support for Israel and the Jewish people."
Bibi: Polarizing Figure
Netanyahu became the only sitting prime minister in Israel's history to face indictment when he was charged with fraud, breach of trust, and bribery in three separate cases, the result of long investigations accusing him of trading favors with fat-cat supporters.
He stepped into the witness box late last year, and cross-examination started earlier this month. Several hearings have been postponed as he's dealing with the turbulence sparked by Hamas' October 2023 attack out of Gaza.
Netanyahu presents himself as a towering statesman waging war for Israel's very survival. He accuses his foes of vanquishing him at ballots they couldn't at trials. But, critics claim he prolongs Gaza's war and leaves captives in Hamas' hands to cling to power and combat the allegations. Weekly protests against Netanyahu have been going strong for years.
Trumps Israel's Greatest Friend
Trump is adored by Netanyahu - and many Israelis. He's offered unparalleled support for Israel's territorial claims and brokered the Abraham Accords with four Arab nations during his first term. Over the weekend, he ordered direct strikes on Iran's nuclear program, viewed as an existential threat by Israel.
But, even staunch Netanyahu and Trump fans are a wee bit uneasy. Simcha Rotman, a lawmaker from the far-right Religious Zionist party, and an architect of Netanyahu's controversial judicial reform, wrote on X that Netanyahu's trial "may be symptomatic of the legal system’s multitude of faults."
Still, he balked at external interference in Israeli legal proceedings, concluding, "It's not the place of the U.S. president to interfere in legal matters in Israel." (Except for the title, this story has not been edited by our website staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Enrichment Data:
Insights on Trump and Netanyahu's Relationship
- Trump's Support for Netanyahu: Trump consistently backed Netanyahu's policies, showing great support for Israel's territorial claims and facilitating the Abraham Accords with four Arab nations[1].
- Trump's Influence on Israeli Politics: Trump's intervention in Netanyahu's trial highlights his influence on Israeli politics, as he is seen by Netanyahu and many Israelis as the greatest friend the White House has ever had[1].
Insights on Netanyahu's Corruption Trial
- Overview of Netanyahu's Corruption Charges: Netanyahu faced charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, resulting from long investigations accusing him of trading favors with wealthy political supporters[1][2].
- Status of the Trial: The trial was ongoing, with Netanyahu stepping into the witness box late last year, and cross-examination starting earlier this month[1][2].
- Impact on Netanyahu's Political Career: The corruption trial has been a politically contentious issue in Israel, with some arguing Netanyahu is prolonging the conflict to combat legal allegations[2].
- Trump's persistent plea to halt Netanyahu's corruption trial has further emphasized the intersection of policy-and-legislation and politics in Israeli affairs, as both leaders grapple with legal woes and seek public support.
- Despite Trump's influence on Israeli politics, the ongoing corruption trial and subsequent comments from American politics have raised questions about foreign interference in Israel's general-news matters, particularly its legal proceedings.
