President Donald Trump has formally requested Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is embroiled in a series of corruption and fraud trials. In a letter shared by Herz, Trump described Netanyahu as a ‘formidable and decisive’ leader who has guided Israel through challenges, including times of war and a path toward peace. He argued that the prosecution against Netanyahu is ‘political and unjustified,’ urging the Israeli judicial system to ‘end that lawfare once and for all.’
Netanyahu, who has been a central figure in Israeli politics for decades, is currently facing three separate corruption trials, marking a historic moment as he becomes the first sitting prime minister to testify in a criminal court. The cases involve charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, and the trials began in 2020. Trump, who has a long-standing relationship with Netanyahu, previously called for his pardon during a speech at the Israeli Knesset last month, emphasizing Netanyahu’s role in the return of hostages from Gaza and his support for Israel’s security.
Herzog’s office acknowledged the request but stated that presidential pardons must go through the proper legal channels. The office noted that Herzog holds Trump in high regard for his support of Israel and his role in recent hostage negotiations. However, the office did not take a stance on the merit of the pardon request, reiterating that it is a matter for the appropriate authorities. This development has sparked discussions about the influence of former U.S. leaders on Israeli judicial processes and the political ramifications of such interventions.