Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, remains a central and deeply polarizing figure in the country’s political landscape. Benjamin Netanyahu has been surrounded by several issues in and around Israel.
One of the most significant issues surrounding him is his ongoing corruption trial in the country.
Netanyahu faces three major cases: Case 1000, Case 2000, and Case 4000 alleging bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. These cases involve accepting lavish gifts from wealthy businessmen, attempting to manipulate media coverage in his favor, and granting regulatory benefits to a telecom company in exchange for positive news coverage. He denies all charges, calling the investigations a political witch hunt aimed at removing him from power.
United States President Donald Trump has called for Israel to cancel the corruption trial of Netanyahu, or grant him a pardon, describing the case against the Israeli leader as a “witch-hunt”. Trump issued the call on June 25 on behalf of his close Israeli ally, who was indicted in 2019 in Israel on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
“Bibi Netanyahu’s trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero, who has done so much for the State (of Israel),” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform using the Israeli leader’s nickname, adding that he had learned that Netanyahu was due to appear in court on Monday.
“Such a WITCH HUNT, for a man who has given so much, is unthinkable to me,” Trump added.
Netanyahu’s Other Issues
Another major controversy has been Netanyahu’s push for judicial reform, which has triggered massive public backlash. His government introduced legislation aimed at weakening the powers of the Israeli Supreme Court and increasing political control over judicial appointments. Critics argue that these changes threaten the democratic checks and balances in the country.
The proposed reforms led to some of the largest protests in Israel’s history, with opponents from across the political spectrum, including former security officials, economists, and tech leaders, warning of serious damage to Israel’s democratic institutions.
Conflict With Orthodox Parties
Netanyahu’s coalition with far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties has also drawn sharp criticism. To secure a parliamentary majority, he partnered with figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, whose hardline views on Palestinians, civil liberties, and secularism have alarmed both domestic and international observers.
Many Israelis fear that the inclusion of such extreme voices in government has fueled rising internal tensions and eroded the country's democratic character, media reports showed.
Ongoing Conflict With Gaza
Netanyahu’s handling of security issues, particularly regarding Hamas and Gaza, has also come under scrutiny. As per reports, critics argued that Netanyahu has lacked a coherent long-term strategy for dealing with Hamas and that his focus on domestic political battles, such as the judicial overhaul, may have distracted from urgent security threats. This concern intensified following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, which exposed serious intelligence and operational lapses.
While he has maintained strong ties with U.S. Republicans, his alignment with far-right elements, aggressive settlement policies in the West Bank, and the humanitarian fallout from the Gaza conflict have drawn criticism from the international community.
This has complicated Israel's diplomatic standing, especially with Western democracies that are increasingly uneasy about the direction of Netanyahu's leadership.
Reports also showed that his leadership has contributed to deep societal divisions within Israel. His critics accuse him of undermining public trust in the judiciary, media, and other institutions, while his supporters see him as a strong leader defending Israel’s interests. This polarization, exacerbated by ongoing legal battles and sweeping policy changes, continues to shape the nation’s political discourse and future.
