Israeli Court Postpones Netanyahu Corruption Trial Amid Gaza Crisis

An Israeli court has postponed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's testimony in his long-running corruption trial following his request for a delay, which was supported by U.S. President Donald Trump. The court cited Netanyahu's need to focus on urgent national security issues, including the recent ceasefire with Iran, ongoing fighting in Gaza, and efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages, with backing from senior Israeli intelligence officials. Trump publicly criticized the trial as a "witch hunt" and called for its cancellation or a pardon, asserting that the U.S. would not tolerate the continued prosecution while Netanyahu is engaged in critical negotiations with Hamas. Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing, and his supporters view the trial as politically motivated. However, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned Trump's interference in what he called an independent country's judicial process. The trial, which has been ongoing since 2020, involves allegations including Netanyahu and his wife accepting luxury gifts worth over $260,000 in exchange for political favors.