Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed on 12 November that he received a letter from US President Donald Trump urging him to pardon Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing trial on multiple corruption charges.
Herzog’s office said on Wednesday that Trump’s letter, shared publicly, called the case against Netanyahu “a political, unjustified prosecution.”
Trump wrote that while he respected Israel’s judiciary, he believed the charges targeted a leader who had “fought alongside me for a long time, including against the very tough adversary of Israel, Iran.”
In the same letter, Trump praised Netanyahu as “a formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister,” claiming he was now guiding Israel “into a time of peace” through ongoing efforts to expand the so-called Abraham Accords.
Trump credited Netanyahu’s cooperation in confronting “the very tough adversary” of Iran and framed the trial as punishment for his political alignment with US and Israeli right-wing interests.
The president’s office clarified that pardons can only be granted through formal petitions submitted by the accused or their relatives in accordance with Israeli law.
All 19 ministers and deputy ministers from the ruling Likud party have since signed a joint appeal urging Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, claiming the trial was “harming the unity of the people.” The signatories argued that the allegations – centered on gifts of cigars and champagne from businessmen – were politically motivated and “trivial.”
According to Haaretz, Herzog discussed the matter with Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and with relatives of former Gaza captives, one of whom suggested that a pardon might give Netanyahu “freedom to take political risks.”
Herzog’s office later denied initiating those talks. Reports also indicate that Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, may submit a formal request for clemency.
The prime minister faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three cases dating back to his 2019 indictment. His trial, which began in 2020, remains ongoing, making him the first sitting Israeli premier to stand trial as a criminal defendant.
Netanyahu maintains his innocence and has dismissed the proceedings as a left-wing campaign to remove him from power.
In late October, a Jerusalem court rejected Netanyahu’s request to reduce his weekly court appearances, ruling that hearings would continue “as planned.”
That decision came days after the Israeli Ministerial Committee for Legislation advanced a bill that could indefinitely delay his trials, legislation opposed by the attorney general for introducing “political considerations” into the legal process.
Hellbound and Down 