An Israeli court on Friday, June 27, 2025, rejected a request by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay his testimony in his long-running corruption trial, despite recent regional tensions and public calls from U.S. President Donald Trump to cancel the proceedings altogether.
In a formal ruling, the judges of the Jerusalem District Court stated that Netanyahu’s request to postpone the scheduled hearings “does not provide any sufficient or detailed justification to cancel the sessions.”
The Prime Minister’s legal team had submitted the motion on Thursday, requesting a delay in the hearings scheduled over the next two weeks. The lawyers cited “regional and global developments” in the wake of the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran as the primary reason for seeking the postponement.
Trump calls the trial a “witch hunt”
On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly called on Israel’s judiciary to “immediately dismiss” the case against Netanyahu, describing the charges against him as a “witch hunt” and hailing the Israeli leader as a “warrior.” Trump has been a vocal supporter of Netanyahu and has frequently criticized what he views as politicized legal actions against conservative leaders.
Despite the international spotlight and political pressure, the Israeli court reaffirmed its commitment to proceed with the legal process without interruption.
Ongoing corruption trial
Netanyahu is facing multiple charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in several cases, including allegations that he accepted lavish gifts from wealthy businessmen and traded regulatory favors for favorable media coverage.
His trial, which began in May 2020, has become a central issue in Israeli politics, polarizing public opinion and fueling accusations of judicial overreach from his supporters, while opponents argue that the rule of law must prevail.
Friday’s ruling is seen as a clear message from Israel’s judiciary that legal proceedings will continue regardless of external political interference, even from allies as powerful as the United States.
What's happening in Tunisia?
Subscribe to our Youtube channel for updates.
