Trump calls for pardon or cancellation of Netanyahu corruption trial amid ongoing court case

US President Donald Trump has urged Israel to issue a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or to cancel his ongoing trial on corruption charges.

Mr Netanyahu, indicted in 2019 on allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, all of which he denies, has faced a lengthy legal process since his trial began in 2020.

Mr Trump’s intervention comes as Mr Netanyahu’s cross-examination in court is expected to last for nearly a year, and amid heightened international scrutiny of Israel’s domestic politics.

“Bibi Netanyahu’s trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero, who has done so much for the State (of Israel),” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that he had learned that Mr Netanyahu was due to appear in court on Monday.

Israeli media have reported that cross-examination of Mr Netanyahu began on June 3 in a Tel Aviv court and was expected to take about a year to complete.

Israeli President Issac Herzog has the power to pardon Mr Netanyahu but has been quoted by Israeli media as saying that a pardon is “not currently on the table.” He also said that “no such request had been made,” according to the reports.

Mr Trump extolled Mr Netanyahu and said in his post: “It was the United States of America that saved Israel, and now it is going to be the United States of America that saves Bibi Netanyahu.”

That appeared to be a reference to US involvement and support for Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear program. Trump announced a ceasefire on Monday.

It was unclear if Mr Trump meant the US could do anything to aid Mr Netanyahu in his legal battle.

The Republican president described the case against the Israeli leader as a “witch-hunt,” a term Trump has frequently applied to US attempts to prosecute him.

- With Reuters