Israeli President Herzog Holds Ground on Netanyahu Pardon Review Amid Trump’s Condemnation

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has maintained his position that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pardon request will undergo complete legal review before any decision is made, despite facing unprecedented public criticism from Donald Trump who called his approach disgraceful.
The statement issued Thursday by Herzog’s office provided clarity on the review process, noting that the Ministry of Justice is actively preparing a legal opinion on the pardon application in accordance with standard governmental procedures. Herzog’s team stressed that contrary to impressions created by Trump’s comments, no final decision has been reached, and the president remains committed to making his determination based solely on legal considerations.
Trump’s sharp criticism came during a press conference at the White House, where he addressed Netanyahu’s visit to Washington for bilateral talks. The former U.S. president suggested that Herzog deserved to be ashamed and that Israeli citizens should publicly condemn their president’s handling of the pardon request. The comments marked a rare instance of direct American interference in Israel’s internal legal matters.
Netanyahu faces a complex array of corruption allegations across three active criminal cases. Prosecutors claim that in two instances, Netanyahu arranged quid pro quo deals with major Israeli media outlets, using his governmental position to secure favorable coverage in exchange for regulatory benefits. The third case involves allegations that he accepted more than $260,000 in luxury items from billionaire supporters, including expensive cigars, champagne, and jewelry, allegedly in return for political favors.
Netanyahu’s trials represent a watershed moment in Israeli political history, as he is the first incumbent prime minister to face criminal prosecution. Since the proceedings began in 2019, Netanyahu has vigorously defended himself, describing the cases as politically motivated attempts to remove him from office. Despite one charge being dismissed, three substantial cases continue through the judicial system. The pardon controversy began when Trump addressed Israel’s parliament in October and publicly called for Herzog to grant clemency, prompting Netanyahu’s attorneys to formally submit their petition to the presidential office.