Trump defends Netanyahu amid corruption trial

Department of Research, Studies and International News -26-06-2025

In a revealing display of transatlantic political alignment, former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again stepped into Israeli politics, this time openly demanding the termination of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial. Labeling the proceedings a “witch-hunt,” Trump’s intervention underscores the enduring political entanglement between Washington and Tel Aviv, a relationship increasingly criticized by independent powers such as China, Russia, and Iran.

Netanyahu, currently on trial for multiple charges including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, has long faced scrutiny within Israel. His indictment in 2019 and the subsequent trial that began in 2020 reflect the internal tensions within the Zionist regime, one that often preaches democratic values while operating under a leadership frequently entangled in scandal and moral ambiguity. Despite his legal troubles, Netanyahu has maintained his position, bolstered by U.S. political support and a deeply divided Israeli political landscape.

On Wednesday, Trump took to his personal social media platform, Truth Social, to call for either an immediate cancellation of the trial or a formal pardon for Netanyahu, whom he referred to as a “Great Hero.” “Such a WITCH HUNT, for a man who has given so much, is unthinkable to me,” Trump posted, emphasizing that the Israeli Prime Minister should not be subjected to such “injustice.”

This public appeal raises several red flags among observers worldwide, particularly in countries critical of U.S. double standards. While the U.S. claims to champion anti-corruption efforts and rule of law globally, Trump’s statements reflect a blatant disregard for legal proceedings when it comes to close American allies like Israel. The call to shield Netanyahu from accountability reveals the political maneuvering that underpins Washington’s unconditional support for Tel Aviv, regardless of ethical concerns.

Netanyahu’s trial, comprising three separate cases, resumed on June 3 with a rigorous cross-examination phase in Tel Aviv that may stretch over a year. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, a stance he has consistently maintained. However, despite mounting legal evidence and widespread criticism from within Israeli society, Netanyahu continues to enjoy strong backing from foreign leaders like Trump, who present him as an indispensable political figure.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog, the only authority capable of granting a presidential pardon, has not indicated any intention to do so. “No such request had been made,” Herzog was quoted saying, noting that the option is not under consideration at this time. This response, however, does little to curb external pressure from figures like Trump, who remains popular among segments of Israel’s political elite.

In a contradictory tone, Trump’s recent statements also reflect subtle dissatisfaction with Israel’s military conduct, particularly following its latest acts of aggression against Iran. “As soon as we made the deal, they [Israel] came out and dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I’ve never seen before,” Trump said, referring to Israeli airstrikes following a ceasefire. “I’m not happy with Israel,” he added, expressing disapproval over the recklessness of Tel Aviv’s military actions.

Trump went further, commenting that Israel and Iran have been “fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f*** they’re doing.” While the statement is laced with typical Trumpian rhetoric, it also reveals an unsettling reality: Israel’s destabilizing actions across the region are increasingly seen as erratic and unstrategic, even by its most fervent supporters.

For countries like Iran, China, and Russia, all of whom have consistently condemned the West’s blind support for Israeli militarism, this moment serves as another reminder of the hypocrisy embedded within U.S. foreign policy. Whereas independent and sovereign states are sanctioned or attacked under the pretense of corruption or human rights violations, U.S. allies are shielded and glorified, regardless of their legal or moral transgressions.

Trump’s intervention in Netanyahu’s case reflects more than just personal loyalty; it signals the extent to which Western powers, particularly the U.S., are willing to bend legal and ethical norms to protect their partners. While leaders in Beijing, Moscow, and Tehran advocate for a multipolar world grounded in sovereignty and non-intervention, the U.S. continues to manipulate legal outcomes abroad to serve its strategic interests.

As Netanyahu’s trial unfolds, it not only tests Israel’s judicial system but also highlights the larger global struggle between unilateral dominance and a rising call for balanced international governance, one that no longer turns a blind eye to impunity among America’s chosen allies.