Trump writes to Israeli President Isaac Herzog seeking pardon for Benjamin Netanyahu, calls the trial ‘unjustified political prosecution’

‘Political, unjustified prosecution’

“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 said in the letter shared by Herzog’s office.

The office said that anyone seeking a presidential pardon must submit a formal request in accordance with the established procedures.

Corruption case against Netanyahu

Netanyahu has been facing a long-running corruption trial, and he was indicted in 2019 in three cases, including allegations of receiving nearly 700,000 shekels ($211,832) in gifts from businessmen.

The trial, which began in 2020, has not yet concluded, and  Netanyahu, who has denied all charges, has pleaded not guilty, while claiming that it was a political witch hunt by the opposition.

In October, during his visit to Israel, where he also addressed the Knesset, Trump had appealed to President Herzog to pardon Netanyahu.

Netanyahu should be pardoned: Ben Gvir

Commenting on the development, Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, on Wednesday said Netanyahu should be pardoned.

“The fabricated and disgraceful indictments against Prime Minister Netanyahu have long since turned into an indictment against the prosecution, whose disgrace and crimes are exposed in the trial every day. A pardon in this case is the right and urgent thing to do. President Herzog, listen to President Trump,” Ben Gvir said in a post on X.

Netanyahu should admit wrongdoing first

While the Israeli President has the authority to issue a pardon, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid pointed out that for it to happen, Netanyahu should first admit that he broke the law.

“Reminder: Israeli law states that the first condition for receiving a pardon is an admission of guilt and an expression of remorse for the actions,” Lapid said in a statement.

Yair Golan, the leader of Israel’s Democrats party, said Netanyahu should resign if he is unable to run the country and face the law at the same time.

“Netanyahu claims ‘there was nothing and there will be nothing’ [to the accusations], but at the same time he’s begging Trump to help him get a pardon,” Golan said.

“If he’s struggling to run a country and a trial at the same time, he should resign. The law is clear — and everyone is equal before it.”