Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a delay in his long-running corruption trial, citing national security responsibilities following Israel’s recent conflict with Iran, and just days after former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly called for the case to be cancelled.
In a formal request submitted Thursday, Netanyahu’s attorney, Amit Hadad, asked the Jerusalem District Court to postpone the premier’s upcoming testimony, arguing that Netanyahu must focus on “regional and global developments.” The filing stated he is “compelled to devote all his time and energy to managing national, diplomatic and security issues of the utmost importance,” including tensions in Gaza, where Israeli hostages remain in captivity.
The request follows a 12-day war between Israel and Iran, during which Israel launched major strikes on Iranian military and nuclear targets, reportedly with support from U.S. airpower. Netanyahu and Trump jointly declared victory after the ceasefire took effect on Tuesday.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform Wednesday, called Netanyahu’s legal proceedings a “witch hunt,” urging Israeli authorities to either cancel the trial “IMMEDIATELY” or pardon the prime minister, whom he described as “a Great Hero.”
Netanyahu responded warmly, thanking Trump on X (formerly Twitter) for his “heartfelt support” and expressing eagerness to work together in “defeating our common enemies, liberating our hostages and expanding the circle of peace.”
However, Trump’s intervention drew sharp criticism across Israel’s political spectrum. Opposition leader Yair Lapid warned against foreign interference in domestic judicial matters, telling Ynet: “We are thankful to President Trump, but the president should not interfere in a judicial trial in an independent country.”
Even within Netanyahu’s own coalition, dissent emerged. Simcha Rothman, head of the Knesset’s judicial affairs committee and a leading figure in the far-right Religious Zionism party, said, “It is not the role of the president of the United States to interfere in legal proceedings in the State of Israel.” While he criticized the handling of the case, Rothman emphasized preserving Israel’s institutional integrity.
By contrast, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar backed Trump’s position. Saar called the continuation of the trial during wartime “distorted” and “unreasonable.”
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, has denied all charges in the three-part corruption case, which began in 2020 but has faced repeated delays. The first case involves allegations that he and his wife, Sara, received gifts worth over $260,000 from wealthy businessmen in exchange for political favors. The other cases involve alleged efforts to secure favorable media coverage.
During his current term, which began in late 2022, Netanyahu’s government has pushed for sweeping judicial reforms, sparking widespread protests and criticism that the reforms aim to shield him from prosecution.
This latest attempt to delay proceedings marks yet another chapter in a legal saga increasingly entangled with Israel’s broader political and security crises.
Written By Rodney Mbua
