An Israeli court has scrapped this week’s hearings in Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial, at the request of the prime minister for reasons of classified diplomatic and security matters.
According to the Jerusalem district court’s ruling, which was published online by Netanyahu’s Likud party, “Following the explanations given … we partially accept the request and cancel at this stage Mr Netanyahu’s hearings scheduled” for this week.
The court agreed that new information from Netanyahu, the head of Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad, and the military intelligence chief justified the cancellation of the hearings.
The US President Donald Trump has recently called for the case to be dismissed. Trump suggested on social media that the trial could interfere with Netanyahu’s ability to negotiate with Hamas and Iran, and that the US would “not stand” for the continued prosecution. Netanyahu thanked Trump on X (formerly Twitter).
Trump described the case against Netanyahu as a “witch hunt,” and suggested that the trial “should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero.”
Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, all of which he denies. He portrays the trial as an orchestrated left-wing witch-hunt aimed at a democratically elected right-wing leader.
In one case, Netanyahu is accused of accepting over $260,000 in luxury items from billionaires in exchange for political favors. In two others, he is accused of negotiating favorable media coverage from Israeli outlets.
Netanyahu’s lawyers requested the court to postpone the trial to focus on security issues following a ceasefire with Iran and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Israeli hostages are being held.
The court initially dismissed the lawyers’ request but changed stance after hearing arguments from the prime minister and other senior officials. The Israeli prosecution has remained silent on Trump’s remarks.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has stated that Trump should not interfere in a judicial trial in a sovereign nation.
Trump claimed that Netanyahu was currently negotiating with Hamas, though neither leader has provided specifics and there is skepticism regarding a possible ceasefire in the near future. On Friday, the Republican president stated he believed a ceasefire was imminent.
This content has been revised for clarity and readability.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/30/benjamin-netanyahu-corruption-trial-delayed-ntwnfb
