Trump Asks Herzog to Pardon Netanyahu Amid Ongoing Trial

In a rare diplomatic move, former U.S. President Donald Trump has formally urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to issue a full pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite the ongoing legal proceedings against him.

“It is time to let Bibi unite Israel by pardoning him, and ending that lawfare once and for all,” Trump wrote in a letter delivered Wednesday. While Trump has previously voiced similar sentiments in public, this marks his first official appeal on the matter.

The letter arrives at a critical moment. Netanyahu’s trial launched in 2020 following his 2019 indictment is still in the cross-examination stage. He faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases, commonly referred to as Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000. He has maintained his innocence throughout.

Legally, however, a presidential pardon is currently not an option. According to Israeli law, such a pardon can only be granted before a trial begins or after a verdict has been reached neither of which applies at this time. Moreover, the President’s Office clarified that the process must be initiated by the defendant or someone close to them. To date, Netanyahu has not submitted such a request.

Still, Trump’s call has reignited a growing debate within Israeli society. His letter echoes similar appeals made last month by over a dozen Likud ministers and Members of Knesset, who argue that continuing the trial undermines national unity especially during wartime.

In the letter, Trump praised Netanyahu’s leadership during conflict and diplomacy alike: “Prime Minister Netanyahu has stood tall for Israel in the face of strong adversaries and long odds… [he] is now leading Israel into a time of peace.” Trump also referenced their joint efforts against Iran and Netanyahu’s role in the Abraham Accords.

This isn’t the first time Trump has directly intervened. During a recent visit to the Knesset, he once again voiced support for Netanyahu and repeated his belief that the case is politically motivated. His former envoy to Israel, Mike Huckabee, even attended a hearing in Tel Aviv earlier this year, calling the entire trial “wrong” while praising the judges presiding over it.

President Herzog’s office responded respectfully but firmly, stating, “Anyone seeking a pardon must submit a formal request in accordance with established procedures.” While Herzog holds Trump “in high regard” and appreciates his unwavering support for Israel, the President continues to uphold the impartiality and legal framework of Israel’s justice system.

As Israel navigates the challenges of war and diplomacy, the question remains whether a legal resolution or a political one will ultimately determine the fate of the nation’s longest-serving prime minister.

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