Trump pushes Israeli president to pardon Netanyahu in corruption case
Trump pushes Israeli president to pardon Netanyahu in corruption case
M.U.H
13/11/202518
US President Donald Trump has called on Israel’s president to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a move widely seen as political meddling in favor of an embattled ally, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Israel’s presidential office released a statement on Wednesday, confirming that Trump sent a letter to President Isaac Herzog urging him to dismiss Netanyahu’s legal case.
“I hereby call on you to fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister,” Trump wrote on social media.
Trump praised Netanyahu’s aggressive policies towards Iran as commendable, framing them as a justification for dismissing the corruption charges.
“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 added.
Netanyahu faces charges of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust in three separate cases that began during Trump’s first term.
In response, Herzog declined to take a position, saying that a pardon request must follow proper procedures.
“The president has made it clear on multiple occasions that anyone seeking a pardon must submit a formal request in accordance with the established procedures,” his statement said.
This is not the first time Trump has pressed Herzog to pardon Netanyahu. On October 13, during a speech to the Knesset, he demanded that Herzog drop the corruption charges.
“I have an idea, why don’t you give Netanyahu a pardon?” he said, adding, “Who cares about cigars and champagne?” referring to the illegal gifts Netanyahu had received.
Trump also defended Netanyahu on social media. In a June 26 post on Truth Social, he wrote, “I was shocked to hear that Israel, which is strongly led by Bibi Netanyahu, is continuing its ridiculous Witch Hunt against their Great War Time Prime Minister!”
“Bibi Netanyahu’s trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero, who has done so much for [Israel] … It was the United States of America that saved Israel, and now it is going to be the United States of America that saves Bibi Netanyahu,” he added.
Meanwhile, Trump’s unprecedented pardoning spree for political and business friends since returning to the White House continues.
It has included hundreds of MAGA allies, a cryptocurrency mogul with ties to a Trump family crypto firm, disgraced politicians, and others who could yield political and financial benefits.
The US president himself is facing multiple charges. Notably, on March 30, 2023, he was indicted in New York County on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and was convicted on May 30, 2024.
In August 2023, he was indicted in Fulton County, Georgia, under the state’s racketeering law for efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
