Full story
Trump urges Herzog pardon
President Donald Trump publicly and forcefully urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after a White House meeting.
“Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House, criticized Herzog for declining to intervene in Netanyahu’s corruption trial and urged public pressure, calling Herzog’s refusal shameful.”
He called Herzog 'ashamed' or 'disgraceful' for declining to intervene and told reporters Israelis should pressure him to grant clemency.
Multiple outlets report Trump made the remarks during or after a Washington appearance following a closed-door meeting with Netanyahu, praising Netanyahu as a wartime leader while pressing Herzog to act.
Trump's statement was framed as direct public pressure on Israel's presidency and its pardon process.
Pardon review and response
Herzog’s office responded that Netanyahu’s pardon request remains under formal legal review at the Justice Ministry and that the president has not made a decision.
The office said any clemency will be decided 'in accordance with the law,' guided by the state’s best interests and his conscience and free of outside influence.
Several Israeli and regional outlets reported Herzog thanked Trump for his support of Israel, stressed Israel’s sovereignty and rule of law, and reiterated that the legal opinion is a necessary step before any presidential action.
Netanyahu legal and international scrutiny
Netanyahu’s request for clemency comes amid his long‑running corruption trial and broader legal and international scrutiny.
“The request’s legality is uncertain while his trial continues, and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miaraw is likely to find it doesn’t meet past pardon standards.”
Multiple outlets note he is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to face a criminal trial, indicted in 2019 on bribery, fraud and breach‑of‑trust charges over alleged expensive gifts and media favors.
His lawyers filed a formal pardon petition on Nov. 30.
Haaretz reports the Attorney General is likely to find the petition does not meet past pardon standards.
Regional outlets note separate International Criminal Court action, saying the ICC issued arrest warrants accusing Netanyahu of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel’s Gaza campaign, including allegations of using starvation as a weapon.
Pardon debate amid Gaza allegations
The pardon push arrives amid wider debate over Israel’s conduct in Gaza and international calls for accountability.
Haaretz outlines U.S. plans to lead a Board of Peace for Gaza and an International Stabilization Force.
Regional and international outlets highlight grave allegations against Israeli officials and the military: Al Jazeera reports human‑rights groups and UN investigators cite officials’ statements as evidence some may harbor or justify 'genocidal intent' toward Palestinians in Gaza.
Anadolu Ajansı and The New Arab note ICC arrest warrants accusing Israeli leaders, including Netanyahu, of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
These sources frame the pardon effort not as an isolated political favor but as entangled with accusations that Israel’s campaign in Gaza has caused massive civilian deaths and is subject to international legal action.