An Israeli court announced that hearings for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s corruption trial have been canceled for this week, a delay granted based on pressing national security matters following the country’s military operation in Iran and the renewed campaign in Gaza.
“Following the explanations given … we partially accept the request and cancel at this stage Mr. Netanyahu’s hearings scheduled” for this week, the Jerusalem District Court ruled.
The ruling is a partial win for Netanyahu and his legal team in a case that has dragged on for four years.
The prime minister’s lawyers sought the cancellation of all hearings Netanyahu was required to be present at over the next two weeks, citing his busy schedule “managing national, diplomatic and security issues of the utmost importance.”
Netanyahu stands accused of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust after allegedly accepting tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of cigars and champagne, allegations that he has denied.
When testifying in December of last year to the Jerusalem District Court, Netanyahu continuously pointed to his schedule, quipping that he “never gets to consistently smoke cigars” and is “always interrupted.”
“I work 17, 18 hours a day,” Netanyahu said in the courtroom at the time. “Everyone who knows me knows this. That’s how I work. I eat my meals at my work table. It’s not cordon bleu. It’s not waiters coming with white gloves.”
He added, “By the way, I hate champagne.”
The ruling comes shortly after President Donald Trump blasted the trial as a “witch hunt” in two lengthy posts on Truth Social.
After initially decrying the trial on Wednesday, Trump reiterated his criticism of the court over the weekend, calling it a “travesty of ‘Justice’” while lauding Netanyahu as a “War Hero” for his strikes on Iran and the regime’s nuclear program.
TRUMP DEMANDS IMMEDIATE END TO ‘GREAT WAR TIME’ PM NETANYAHU’S CORRUPTION TRIAL
“It is terrible what they are doing in Israel to Bibi Netanyahu. He is a War Hero, and a Prime Minister who did a fabulous job working with the United States to bring Great Success in getting rid of the dangerous Nuclear threat in Iran. Importantly, he is right now in the process of negotiating a Deal with Hamas, which will include getting the Hostages back. How is it possible that the Prime Minister of Israel can be forced to sit in a Courtroom all day long, over NOTHING (Cigars, Bugs Bunny Doll, etc.). It is a POLITICAL WITCH HUNT, very similar to the Witch Hunt that I was forced to endure. This travesty of ‘Justice’ will interfere with both Iran and Hamas negotiations. In other words, it is INSANITY doing what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu,” the president said.
Trump concluded, “The United States of America spends Billions of Dollar a year, far more than on any other Nation, protecting and supporting Israel. We are not going to stand for this. We just had a Great Victory with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu at the helm — And this greatly tarnishes our Victory. LET BIBI GO, HE’S GOT A BIG JOB TO DO!”