Netanyahu’s Corruption Trial Delayed After Trump Threatens to Pull $3.8 Billion in U.S. Aid to Israel

(JERUSALEM, June 30, 2025) — An Israeli court postponed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial under extraordinary pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened to cut military aid to Israel unless the case was dropped—a move critics call a dangerous breach of judicial independence.

The Court’s Sudden Reversal

The Jerusalem District Court canceled this week’s hearings just 48 hours after initially refusing Netanyahu’s request for a delay. Judges cited “classified security grounds,” accepting arguments from Mossad and Israeli military intelligence that Netanyahu needed to focus on escalating tensions with Iran and stalled Gaza ceasefire talks.

Netanyahu—charged with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases—avoided what would have been a high-stakes cross-examination under oath. He denies all allegations, framing the trial as a political witch hunt.

rump’s “Aid-for-Accountability” Ultimatum

The court’s reversal followed back-to-back posts by Trump on Truth Social:

“The ridiculous witch hunt against Bibi Netanyahu must be CANCELLED IMMEDIATELY. The U.S. gives Israel billions a year. We won’t stand for this!”
“Bibi and I just went through HELL together against Iran. Let him lead!”

Trump explicitly tied the threat to America’s $3.8 billion in annual military aid—Israel’s largest source of foreign funding. Netanyahu responded within minutes, reposting Trump’s message with: “Together, we will make the Middle East Great Again!”

A senior White House official later admitted Trump’s intervention was impulsive, sparked by a news article he read mid-flight.

Israeli Backlash: “This Crosses a Red Line”

Trump’s threat ignited fury across Israel’s political spectrum:

Opposition leader Yair Lapid: “No foreign leader should interfere in Israel’s justice system. Sovereignty isn’t for sale.”
War Cabinet member Benny Gantz: “Decisions about Israel’s future must be made in Jerusalem—not Mar-a-Lago.”
Protest organizer Rachel Godsil: “Netanyahu is trading our security for his freedom.”

Critics note the trial has faced 12+ delays since 2020—often coinciding with security crises.

What Happens Next

The trial may resume in mid-July, but Netanyahu’s allies are pushing to fire Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara—the only official who could cancel the case. Legal scholars warn this could trigger a constitutional crisis.

As former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzer told us: