Trump and Israeli Intel Chiefs Negotiating Netanyahu’s Court Schedule with Judges
The surreal nature of the moment, where global security deliberations hinge on a domestic court’s calendar, has raised eyebrows even in Israel’s most seasoned legal and political circles.
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In what observers are calling a surreal collision of law and geopolitics, the President of the United States, along with the heads of Israeli intelligence (Mossad and IDF Military Intelligence) are reportedly involved in negotiations with three Israeli judges over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s legal schedule. The stakes are extraordinary: if the judges agree, Netanyahu may be excused from his criminal trial amid wartime demands. If not, he’ll be required to appear in court as usual.
According to seasoned Israeli journalist Michael Shemesh, even President Trump is involved in these negotiations.
The courtroom and the war room collided in Israel today (Sunday) as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long-running corruption trial was suddenly—and controversially—suspended for at least a week. The reason? A classified security briefing involving the heads of Israel’s most powerful intelligence agencies.
Mossad Director David Barnea and the IDF's Military Intelligence Chief both appeared before judges earlier in the day to deliver an urgent, closed-door update on regional developments. The meeting, requested personally by Netanyahu, reportedly included sensitive updates on unfolding threats from Iran and the Gaza Strip. The impact was immediate: Netanyahu was excused from this week's court proceedings. Judges cited "a significant change in the intelligence infrastructure previously presented" as justification for the postponement.
The rare courtroom intervention by Israel's security brass has ignited a political firestorm. Critics say the judiciary was coerced; supporters argue it was an unavoidable decision in light of growing threats. "It is absurd that the Prime Minister, the head of Mossad, and the Chief of Military Intelligence must plead with judges to delay a trial because the region is on fire," tweeted one political commentator.
The prosecution opposed the postponement, and no decision has been made yet regarding next week’s proceedings. But the optics are stark: while Israel grapples with an escalating multi-front conflict, its leader is toggling between national defense and legal defense.
As one analyst quipped, "Only in Israel do we measure national security by whether or not the Prime Minister testifies."