Trump slams Israel’s prosecutors over Netanyahu corruption trial
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Mr Donald Trump's second post over the course of a few days defending Mr Benjamin Netanyahu and calling for the cancellation of the trial went a step further to tie Israel's legal action to US aid.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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US President Donald Trump on June 28 lashed out at prosecutors in Israel over the corruption trial that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced, saying Washington, having given billions of dollars worth of aid to Israel, was not going to “stand for this”.
Mr Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 in Israel
On June 27, the court rejected a request by Mr Netanyahu’s lawyers to delay his testimony for the next two weeks because of diplomatic and security matters, following the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran in June.
He is due to take the stand on June 30 for cross-examination.
“It is INSANITY doing what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu,” Mr Trump said in a Truth Social post, adding that the judicial process was going to interfere with Mr Netanyahu’s ability to conduct talks with Palestinian militant group Hamas and Iran.
A spokesperson for the Israeli prosecution declined to comment on Mr Trump’s post. Mr Netanyahu on X retweeted Mr Trump’s post and added: “Thank you again, @realDonaldTrump. Together, we will make the Middle East Great Again!”
Mr Trump's second post over the course of a few days defending Mr Netanyahu and calling for the cancellation of the trial went a step further to tie Israel's legal action to US aid.
“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,” Mr Trump said.
Mr Netanyahu “right now” was in the process of negotiating a deal with Hamas, Mr Trump said, without giving further details. On June 27, the US President told reporters that he believes a ceasefire is close.
Hamas has said it is willing to free the remaining hostages in Gaza under any deal to end the war, while Israel says it can end only if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled. Hamas refuses to lay down its arms.
Interest in resolving the Gaza conflict has heightened in the wake of the US and Israeli bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities. A ceasefire to the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict went into effect early this week. REUTERS
