Trump Threatens Support for Israel if Netanyahu Persecution Does Not Stop
Former U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized the Israeli prosecutor’s office on Saturday, which is conducting criminal cases against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, hinting at possible consequences for bilateral relations. Trump’s comments came against the backdrop of a prolonged political and legal conflict engulfing the Israeli leadership, drawing renewed attention to the situation around the head of government, as well as to Washington’s efforts to express its stance on the internal affairs of Israel’s leader. What is the core issue? In 2019, Benjamin Netanyahu was officially charged with corruption, including accusations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Although he denies the charges and claims that the persecution is politically motivated, the legal proceedings against him have been ongoing since 2020 and involve three separate criminal cases. His cases have generated significant resonance both within Israeli politics and internationally, threatening the stability of the government and the progress of domestic reforms. The escalation of the internal political conflict has not gone unnoticed by Washington. Trump, in his posts on the Truth Social platform, called the actions of Israeli prosecutors “bogus,” accusing them of hindering Netanyahu’s ability to perform his duties, particularly in negotiations with the Palestinian Hamas movement and Iran. According to him, the legal persecutions are unjust and have a destructive impact not only on Israeli leadership but also on the regional situation. Trump also emphasized that the United States, which annually provides Israel with tens of billions of dollars in military and financial aid, will no longer tolerate such treatment of its allies. Moving away from Netanyahu’s internal issues, Trump in his second public statement this week openly linked Israel’s criminal prosecution with American support for Israel. “We spend billions each year to protect and support Israel. And if this attitude towards its leader continues, we will be compelled to review our relations... We cannot allow interference with our understanding and support for our allies at this level,” Trump stressed, adding that he supports the Israeli government’s efforts to maintain the country’s security. Regarding the current conflict between Israel and Hamas, the regional situation remains tense. According to Trump, Netanyahu is already negotiating with the Palestinian movement, but no details have been disclosed. Israeli officials insist that a complete cessation of hostilities is only possible with the disarmament and elimination of Hamas, while Hamas leadership claims readiness to free hostages in Gaza in any format, which could become key elements of a future ceasefire. Overall, the internal and external challenges facing Israeli Prime Minister are further complicated by U.S. and Israeli efforts to contain Iran’s nuclear program. Last week, a ceasefire was announced in the twelve-day conflict between Israel and Iran, attracting additional international attention to regional tensions and possible further attempts to resolve the crisis. Meanwhile, intense fighting and a series of strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities are creating preconditions for new diplomatic difficulties and shifts in the balance of power in the Middle East.