Trump sharply criticizes Israeli prosecutors over Netanyahu's corruption trial

(Patria) - US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized prosecutors in Israel over the corruption trial facing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that Washington, after giving billions of dollars in aid to Israel, will not "tolerate this", Reuters reported last night.

Netanyahu was indicted in Israel in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust – all of which he denies. The trial began in 2020 and involves three criminal cases.

On Friday, the court rejected a request by Netanyahu's lawyers to postpone his testimony for two weeks due to diplomatic and security issues following the twelve-day conflict between Israel and Iran this month. He is scheduled to testify on Monday for cross-examination.

"It is madness to do what uncontrolled prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu," Trump said in a post on Truth Social, claiming that the trial would hinder Netanyahu's ability to negotiate with the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Iran.

A spokesperson for the Israeli prosecution declined to comment on Trump's statement. Netanyahu retweeted Trump's post on social media platform X and added: "Thank you again. Together we will make the Middle East great again!"

Trump's second post in as many days defending Netanyahu and calling for the trial to be dropped went a step further to link Israeli legal proceedings with US aid.

"The United States spends billions of dollars (sic) annually, far more than any other nation, protecting and supporting Israel. We will not tolerate this," Trump said.

Netanyahu is negotiating a deal with Hamas "right now," Trump said, without providing further details. On Friday, Trump told reporters that he believed a ceasefire was close.

Hamas has said it is ready to release the remaining hostages in Gaza as part of any deal to end the war, while Israel says it can only end it if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled.