Trump asks for termination of Netanyahu corruption trial, calls it a witch-hunt

U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly called for the termination of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ongoing corruption trial, describing it as a "witch-hunt." Trump's intervention marks a significant moment of political interference in a foreign judicial process, drawing widespread criticism from legal experts and international observers.

Netanyahu has been on trial in Israel facing serious charges including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust — charges he has consistently denied. The trial, which has been ongoing for several years, is one of the most consequential legal proceedings in Israeli political history.

Trump's characterisation of the trial as a "witch-hunt" mirrors the language he has used to describe his own legal battles in the United States, raising questions about the motivations behind his public statement. Critics argue that such remarks from a sitting U.S. president undermine the independence of Israel's judiciary and set a troubling precedent for foreign interference in domestic legal proceedings.

The statement has drawn sharp reactions from legal scholars, opposition politicians in Israel, and human rights organisations, who warn that political pressure — particularly from a powerful ally — risks compromising the integrity of the Israeli court system. Supporters of Netanyahu, however, have welcomed Trump's remarks as a sign of solidarity.