U.S. Ambassador Makes Rare Court Appearance During Netanyahu's Corruption Trial

U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee attended Prime Minister Netanyahu's corruption trial, signaling strong support from the Trump administration amid an unprecedented legal backdrop in Israel.

In a remarkable show of support, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee arrived at the courthouse on July 16, 2025, to attend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial—an event that underscores the Trump administration's commitment to Netanyahu amid ongoing legal challenges. The Israeli leader is embroiled in allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, all of which come during a tumultuous period marked by military conflicts with Gaza and Lebanon since the October 7, 2023, assault from Hamas.

Huckabee's involvement is noted as atypical, as ambassadors rarely engage directly in the judicial affairs of their host nations. His visit followed comments from President Trump—who has faced his own legal troubles—advocating for the suspension of Netanyahu's trial. Speaking at a Tel Aviv conference prior to his courthouse appearance, Huckabee described his presence as an "act of friendship," asserting that the U.S. aims for Israel's success and suggesting bias on the part of the judges overseeing Netanyahu's trial.

In a pointed comparison, Huckabee likened Netanyahu's situation to Trump's own legal predicaments, where the latter has claimed unfair treatment following a conviction for falsifying business records. Trump's vocal disapproval of the trial, which he referred to as a "Witch Hunt against their Great War Time Prime Minister," indicates a significant level of interference by a sitting U.S. president in the legal proceedings of a foreign ally—an occurrence that raises ethical questions about political influence in judicial matters.