Netanyahu’s associates call for cancellation of his trial, with Trump support and accusations of ‘political persecution’

Photo: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government coalition has massively supported former US President Donald Trump’s statement demanding the immediate cancellation of the trial against the Israeli leader. According to the cabinet members, the case is “absurd” and is an attempt at a “coup d’état”, The Jerusalem Post reports.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that Trump was right:

“This trial is nothing more than a conspiracy by the deep state against democracy. Israel needs immediate judicial reform”.

Communications Minister Shlomo Kargi called the process a “play” that harms national security, and Knesset Constitutional Committee Chairman Simcha Rotman even called on President Isaac Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, saying:

“It turns Israel from a regional power into a banana republic.”

At the same time, the opposition, despite Trump’s criticism, warns against external interference. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said in a comment to Ynet:

“Trump should not interfere in Israel’s internal affairs. This is probably part of the deal to put pressure on Netanyahu on the Gaza issue.”

Culture Minister Miki Zohar called the case against Netanyahu a “personal persecution”, while Social Equality Minister Mai Golan accused the court of “disregarding the law, morality and the democratic mandate” of the prime minister.

Likud MP Ophir Katz compared the process to a cartoon:

“This ‘Bugs Bunny trial’ is completely out of touch with reality. The persecution must stop.”

However, not everyone in Israeli politics is ready to turn a blind eye. Gilad Kariv, a representative of the left-wing Avodah faction, stressed that in the Jewish tradition, “no one is above the law, not even the prime minister.”

NEWS

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