Washington, DC – US President Donald Trump renewed his call for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to receive a presidential pardon from the corruption charges he faces. He criticized Israeli President Isaac Herzog for not yet granting him one.
Speaking at a White House event, Trump said Netanyahu “did a great job during wartime,” arguing that he deserves a pardon. He added that the Israeli people should embarrass Herzog for not issuing the pardon. Trump described the refusal as “shameful.”
Trump’s remarks came a day after his meeting with Netanyahu in Washington. This was their seventh meeting since Trump’s return to the White House last year. The talks reportedly focused on the Iranian issue. In particular, they discussed Tehran’s nuclear program and ballistic missiles.
Netanyahu is the first Israeli prime minister to face criminal charges while in office. He was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He vehemently denies these charges, asserting that the trial is politically motivated.
Trump has publicly called for a pardon for Netanyahu on several occasions. In late December, he stated that Herzog had informed him that a pardon was “on the way.” However, the Israeli president’s office quickly denied this.
Under Israeli law, the president has the power to pardon convicts. However, there is no legal precedent for a pardon being granted during a trial and before a final verdict.
These developments come amidst ongoing political and legal debate within Israel regarding Netanyahu’s trial. This debate is marked by a sharp internal divide between his supporters and opponents. Meanwhile, the international community is closely monitoring the case’s repercussions on the Israeli political landscape and its foreign relations.
