An Israeli court has postponed its prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's testimony in his corruption trial after he requested a delay with the support of US President Donald Trump, in a ruling published by the premier's party.
"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 said in its ruling, published online by the Likud party.
Mr Netanyahu's lawyers had asked the court to excuse him from testifying over the next two weeks so he could focus on security issues following a ceasefire with Iran and amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza where Israeli hostages are held.
US President Donald Trump yesterday lashed out at prosecutors in Israel over the corruption trial that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced, saying Washington, having given billions of dollars worth of aid to Israel, was not going to "stand for this".
Mr Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 in Israel on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust - all of which he denies.
The trial began in 2020 and involves three criminal cases.
On Friday, the court rejected a request by Mr Netanyahu's lawyers to delay his testimony for the next two weeks because of diplomatic and security matters following the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran this month.
"It is INSANITY doing what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu," Mr Trump said in a Truth Social post, asserting that the judicial process was going to interfere with Mr Netanyahu's ability to conduct talks with Palestinian militant group Hamas, and Iran.
A spokesperson for the Israeli prosecution declined to comment on Mr Trump's post.
Mr Netanyahu on X retweeted Trump's post and added: "Thank you again, @realDonaldTrump. Together, we will make the Middle East Great Again!"
Mr Trump's second post over the course of a few days defending Mr Netanyahu and calling for the cancellation of the trial went a step further to tie Israel's legal action to US aid.
"The United States of America spends Billions of Dollar [sic] a year, far more than on any other Nation, protecting and supporting Israel. We are not going to stand for this," Mr Trump said.
Mr Netanyahu "right now" was in the process of negotiating a deal with Hamas, Mr Trump said, without giving further details.
On Friday, the Republican president told reporters that he believed a ceasefire was close.
Hamas has said it is willing to free remaining hostages in Gaza under any deal to end the war, while Israel says it can only end it if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled.
Hamas refuses to lay down its arms.
Interest in resolving the Gaza conflict has heightened in the wake of the US and Israeli bombings of Iran's nuclear facilities.
Read more: Evacuation orders as Trump says 'make the deal in Gaza'
