Jerusalem: The Jerusalem district court has postponed the hearings for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ongoing corruption trial this week after he requested a delay, citing support from US President Donald Trump on diplomatic and security grounds.

According to France24.com, the court's decision to delay Netanyahu's testimony was influenced by a ruling published by the prime minister's Likud party. The court stated, "Following the explanations given ... we partially accept the request and cancel at this stage Mr Netanyahu's hearings scheduled" for this week.

President Trump intervened by characterizing the legal proceedings as a "witch hunt" and called for the trial to be "CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero." He further asserted on his Truth Social platform that the United States would "not going to stand" for the continued prosecution, which Netanyahu acknowledged with gratitude in a message on X.

The intervention has sparked criticism from Israeli political figures, including opposition leader Yair Lapid, who expressed that Trump should refrain from interfering in a judicial trial in an independent country. Meanwhile, Netanyahu expressed appreciation for Trump's support during Israel's brief conflict with Iran, which concluded with a ceasefire on June 24.

Netanyahu, who maintains his innocence, faces accusations in three separate corruption cases. In the first, he and his wife, Sara, are accused of accepting luxury goods worth over $260,000 from billionaires in return for political favors. The other two cases involve alleged attempts to secure more favorable media coverage from two Israeli outlets.

Since the trial began in May 2020, Netanyahu has requested multiple postponements. During his current term, which commenced in late 2022, his administration has proposed significant judicial reforms that critics argue aim to undermine the courts.