The Jerusalem District Court has canceled this week’s hearings in the corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following a request filed by Netanyahu citing confidential diplomatic and security reasons, the court announced.
The decision came after a closed session attended by the head of Mossad and the military intelligence director, who briefed the judges on “sensitive regional developments.”
Netanyahu has been facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust since 2019 — allegations he denies, describing the trial as a “political witch hunt” by his opponents.
The court had initially rejected his request for a delay on Saturday, but reversed its decision on Sunday after receiving new information.
Meanwhile, a post by former U.S. President Donald Trump on Truth Social raised eyebrows, as he condemned the trial as “madness,” claiming it was hindering Netanyahu’s efforts in negotiations with Hamas and Iran. Trump went as far as threatening to suspend U.S. aid to Israel if the trial continued.
Netanyahu reposted Trump’s remarks on his X account, thanking the former president for his support.
The Israeli prosecution did not comment on the reported U.S. pressure, while Israeli officials maintained that the judicial decision was based solely on national security grounds.
Analysts believe the temporary halt may be linked to the recent 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, amid growing speculation about a potential ceasefire in Gaza following Israeli-American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
