Former U.S. President Donald Trump has asked Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu despite ongoing corruption charges.
Trump Urges Pardon
Trump sent an official letter to President Herzog requesting a full pardon for Netanyahu, who faces three corruption cases alleging bribery, fraud, and abuse of trust.
The former president praised the historic partnership between the United States and Israel, calling it a shared effort that dates back at least three thousand years, and urged Herzog to respect the judiciary’s independence while rejecting the charges as “political and unjustified” prosecution.
Herzog’s office said it holds Trump in the highest regard, but clarified that any pardon request must be made through formal channels.
Case Background
Netanyahu is accused of corruption in three separate cases filed in 2019, each carrying a potential sentence of up to ten years. The first case involves alleged favors to the telecom company Bezeq while serving as Minister of Communications.
The second case alleges collusion with a major newspaper publisher to suppress a competing paper in exchange for favorable media coverage and a bribe that was reportedly never paid.
The third case concerns the acceptance of expensive gifts from prominent businessmen, which prosecutors say amounted to abuse of power and a conflict of interest.
Netanyahu’s supporters claim the proceedings are politically motivated “witch hunts” aimed at eliminating rivals and silencing media.