US President Donald Trump has formally requested Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his ongoing corruption case. The request, made in a letter shared by Herzog’s office, comes as Netanyahu faces three criminal charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Trump described the prosecution as a political, unjustified case, emphasizing his longstanding support for Netanyahu in his conflict with Iran. This marks a rare instance of a US leader directly appealing to a foreign head of state regarding a domestic legal matter. Netanyahu, who has denied all allegations, remains under indictment since 2019 and is set to face a protracted trial that has seen multiple delays. The Israeli government has clarified that a presidential pardon is only permissible before trial proceedings or after a verdict, neither of which applies currently. While Herzog holds the formal authority to grant pardons, he noted that the request must come from the accused or their legal representatives, and no such formal submission has been made.
In response to the letter, Herzog’s office reportedly stated that while it holds Trump in high regard, any individual seeking a pardon must submit a formal request in accordance with established procedures. Despite the ceremonial nature of his role, Herzog retains the legal authority to grant pardons. However, the process requires a formal submission from the accused, their legal representatives, or family members. To date, neither Netanyahu nor any of his close associates have filed a request, indicating that the current legal procedures will proceed as planned. The Jerusalem Post highlighted that a presidential pardon cannot be granted at this stage of the trial, as it is only permissible before proceedings commence or after a verdict is reached. This legal restriction underscores the complexity of the situation, as Netanyahu’s case remains ongoing and has not yet reached a conclusion.
Netanyahu, the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history, has faced mounting legal challenges since his indictment in 2019. His trial, which began in 2020, has been plagued by delays, with court proceedings often disrupted by procedural issues and legal appeals. The charges against him include bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, with potential sentences reaching up to ten years for bribery alone. Despite these allegations, Netanyahu has consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintained his political position within the Israeli government. His legal team has argued that the prosecution is politically motivated, a perspective that Trump has echoed in his public statements. The political implications of this case extend beyond legal matters, as Netanyahu remains a central figure in Israeli politics and continues to support policies that align with the United States’ strategic interests in the region.
The letter from Trump to Herzog is significant as it marks one of the few instances where a U.S. leader has publicly and formally requested a pardon for an individual involved in a domestic legal case of an ally. Such a direct appeal is unusual, as foreign leaders typically maintain the autonomy of their domestic legal systems. Trump’s comments reflect a broader pattern of his approach to international relations, where he has often expressed strong support for allies, even when their domestic legal processes are in question. The response from Herzog’s office highlights the sensitivity of the issue, as well as the procedural requirements that must be met before any formal pardon can be considered. As the trial continues and the legal proceedings unfold, the political ramifications of the case remain a subject of intense scrutiny both within Israel and among international observers.