Trump 'asks' Israeli president to pardon Netanyahu

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has received a letter from US President Donald Trump urging him to consider granting a presidential pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who remains on trial for corruption charges, Herzog’s office confirmed on Wednesday.

In the letter, Trump described Netanyahu as a “long-time ally” and denounced the ongoing legal proceedings as politically motivated.

“While I absolutely respect the independence of the Israeli justice system and its requirements, I believe that this case against Bibi — who has fought alongside me for a long time, including against the very tough adversary of Israel, Iran — is a political, unjustified prosecution,” Trump wrote, according to Herzog’s office.

The president’s office clarified that any pardon request must be made formally through established legal procedures.

Trump reportedly raised the issue during his October visit to Israel, when he also publicly called on Herzog to pardon Netanyahu during an address to parliament in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 in three corruption cases, including allegations that he accepted nearly 700,000 shekels ($211,832) in gifts from wealthy businessmen.

The prime minister has denied all allegations and maintains his not guilty plea.

Although the Israeli presidency is largely ceremonial, Herzog has the constitutional authority to issue pardons in extraordinary circumstances.

However, Netanyahu’s trial, which began in 2020, is still ongoing and no verdict has been reached.