Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial delayed after US President Donald Trump calls case ‘insanity’
The Jerusalem District Court has agreed to postpone Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial, just hours after US President Donald Trump called for the case to be dropped while suggesting American aid could be at stake over the decision.
The court revealed on Sunday (local time) that Mr Netanyahu will not have to testify for the next two weeks due to diplomatic and national security issues, two days after the judge initially rejected multiple requests to have the trial delayed.
The new court order came shortly after Mr Trump took to Truth Social to slam the corruption trial.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“It is terrible what they are doing in Israel to Bibi Netanyahu,” Mr Trump wrote.
“He is a war hero, and a Prime Minister who did a fabulous job working with the United States to bring great success in getting rid of the dangerous Nuclear threat in Iran.
“Importantly, he is right now in the process of negotiating a deal with Hamas, which will include getting the hostages back.
“How is it possible that the Prime Minister of Israel can be forced to sit in a courtroom all day long, over NOTHING.”
Mr Trump continued to lash out at the prosecutors of the case, referring to the trial as “insanity” and a “political witch hunt”.
“The United States of America spends billions of dollar(s) 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!”
Mr Netanyahu has been accused of accepting $US200,000 ($306,000) from wealthy businessmen and granting hundreds of millions of dollars worth of regulatory benefits to a telecom owner in exchange for favourable news coverage, the New York Post reported.
The Israeli Prime Minister has denied any wrongdoing, alleging that the charges are all fabricated and part of a political coup led by police and state prosecutors.
