{"id":496312,"date":"2025-10-13T14:13:22","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T14:13:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/496312\/"},"modified":"2025-10-13T14:13:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T14:13:22","slug":"trump-stuns-israel-parliament-as-he-demands-netanyahu-pardon-cigars-and-champagne-who-the-hell-cares","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/496312\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump stuns Israel parliament as he demands Netanyahu pardon: ‘Cigars and champagne, who the hell cares’"},"content":{"rendered":"

By PHILLIP NIETO, US POLITICAL REPORTER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 09:22 EDT, 13 October 2025 | Updated: 10:12 EDT, 13 October 2025 <\/p>\n

Donald Trump<\/a>\u00a0stunned the Israeli<\/a> parliament after demanding the Israeli president pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>\u00a0for corruption charges.<\/p>\n

Netanyahu\u2019s political career has been plagued ever since he was indicted in 2019 for fraud, corruption and bribery charges. If found guilty, the Israeli prime minister could face up to a decade behind bars.<\/p>\n

Prosecutors allege that Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, were bribed with lavish gifts, such as champagne and cigars, from Australian billionaire James Packer<\/a>. In exchange, Netanyahu is accused of helping the billionaire’s media interests while serving as the minister of communications.<\/p>\n

Trump addressed these concerns while speaking in the Knesset on Monday, following the release of the last remaining hostages in Gaza<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2018I have an idea, why don\u2019t you give Netanyahu a pardon?’ Trump told Israel<\/a> President Isaac Herzog. Trump goes on to refer to Netanyahu \u2018one of the great wartime presidents.\u2019<\/p>\n

Trump then cheekily references the apparent gifts to Netanyahu by stating, \u2018Cigars and champagne? Who the hell cares about it!?\u2019<\/p>\n

The joke caused the parliament to erupt with laughter and cheers as Trump continued with his remarks on the topic.<\/p>\n

\u2018Alright enough controversy for the day. Actually, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s very controversial,\u2019 Trump added before addressing Netanyahu. \u2018You\u2019re a very popular man. You know? Because you know how to win.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"Trump <\/p>\n

Trump demanded Netanyahu received a pardon for the corruption charges after the remaining Israeli hostages were released<\/p>\n

\"Sarah <\/p>\n

Sarah Netanyahu watches her husband, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, light a cigar at their home in Jerusalem in 1997<\/p>\n

\"Trump <\/p>\n

Trump dismissed the charges against bribery charges against Netanyahu by stating, ‘who the hell cares?!’<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The president received a standing ovation during his address in the Knesset<\/p>\n

The Knesset then erupted into applause for Netanyahu with some of his supporters, chanting, \u2018Bibi! Bibi! Bibi!’<\/p>\n

The Israeli prosecutors claim that the cigars and champagne given to Netanyahu by his billionaire friend was worth $195,000. The prime minister’s wife also allegedly received jewelry worth $3,100 as part of the bribe.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The corruption trial is currently on-going and in the cross-examination phase as the Defense presents their argument.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The trial has been delayed on numerous occasions over the last two years since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Upon Trump’s arrival to Israel on Monday morning, the last remaining living hostages were released from Hamas captivity.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In exchange, Israel released 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including approximately 250 Hamas militants.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Later <\/p>\n

Later today, Trump will meet with the top Middle Eastern leaders in Egypt to celebrate the end of the two-year war between Israel and Hamas<\/p>\n

As part of the ceasefire agreement brokered by Trump, the IDF has begun withdrawing from the Gaza region.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Trump attend later today a peace ceremony in Egypt with Middle Eastern leaders to commiserate the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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