Netanyahu Calls Corruption Case "Bugs Bunny Trial" While Defending Pardon Request

Netanyahu stands as the first sitting Israeli Prime Minister facing trial for corruption charges.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly condemned his ongoing corruption case as a "Bugs Bunny trial" while defending his controversial request for a presidential pardon in a video released on social media.

The three-minute video, published Thursday evening, comes just one week after Netanyahu formally petitioned Israeli President Isaac Herzog for a pardon, claiming that his prosecution has created significant divisions across the nation.

Last month, US President Donald Trump also sent a letter to Herzog making the same request on Netanyahu's behalf.

In the video shared Thursday night, Netanyahu described the proceedings as a "political trial" specifically designed to remove him from office, once again firmly denying all allegations against him.

The accusations include two separate cases where Netanyahu allegedly sought favorable coverage from Israeli media outlets, plus a third case involving claims he accepted luxury gifts valued at more than $260,000 - including cigars, jewelry, and champagne from billionaires in exchange for political favors.

A fourth corruption charge was previously thrown out.

During the video, Netanyahu dramatically held up a Bugs Bunny puppet, ridiculing prosecutors for allegedly using a cartoon doll given as a gift to his son 29 years ago as evidence in their case.

"From now on, this trial will be known as the Bugs Bunny trial," he stated firmly.

Netanyahu dismissed the cigar gifts as merely presents "from a friend" and asserted that his supposed attempts to gain favorable coverage from "a second-rate internet site" instead resulted in "the most hateful, antagonistic, negative press coverage you can imagine in Israel."

Netanyahu remains the first sitting Israeli Prime Minister to face corruption charges while in office.

The legal proceedings, which began in 2019, currently require him to testify three times weekly - a schedule he argues significantly impedes his ability to govern effectively.

"This farce is costing the country dearly," he declared. "I can't deal with that... So I asked for a pardon."

The cases have highlighted deep divisions within Israeli society.

On Monday, before Netanyahu's most recent court appearance, opposing groups of demonstrators gathered outside the Tel Aviv courthouse - some voicing support for the Prime Minister, while others protested against him, including demonstrators wearing bright orange prison-style jumpsuits suggesting he deserves imprisonment.