US President Donald Trump has written to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, urging him to grant his longtime ally Benjamin Netanyahu a pardon for the corruption cases against him. The request comes as Netanyahu is on trial in three separate corruption cases, which he claims are politically motivated and unjustified.
In a letter that Herzog's office released on Wednesday, Trump called Netanyahu "a formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister" and urged him to fully pardon his friend. Trump has long been a supporter of Netanyahu, who has been prime minister for over a decade, and this is not the first time he has requested a pardon for him.
Netanyahu and his wife Sara are accused of receiving luxury gifts from billionaires in exchange for political favors, while also attempting to negotiate more favorable coverage from two Israeli media outlets. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, but his supporters have dismissed the trials as politically motivated.
Herzog's office said that he held Trump "in the highest regard" and expressed his deep appreciation for the US president's support for Israel. However, Herzog also advised Trump to follow the usual procedures for a pardon, emphasizing that anyone seeking a presidential pardon must submit a formal request in accordance with established procedures.
Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the corruption cases against him, claiming that they are politically motivated and unjustified. His supporters have dismissed the trials as an attempt by the opposition to discredit him before elections, which are due within a year.
The resignation of Netanyahu's strategic affairs minister, Ron Dermer, who was a key liaison between Netanyahu and the White House, has sparked speculation about Netanyahu's chances in the upcoming elections. Critics have accused Dermer of failing to bring an earlier end to the Gaza conflict, with some saying he helped Netanyahu drag out the war to avoid potential imprisonment on corruption charges.
The Israeli government has rejected calls for an independent inquiry into the failures that enabled Hamas to launch its 2023 incursion into southern Israel, which resulted in widespread casualties.
In a letter that Herzog's office released on Wednesday, Trump called Netanyahu "a formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister" and urged him to fully pardon his friend. Trump has long been a supporter of Netanyahu, who has been prime minister for over a decade, and this is not the first time he has requested a pardon for him.
Netanyahu and his wife Sara are accused of receiving luxury gifts from billionaires in exchange for political favors, while also attempting to negotiate more favorable coverage from two Israeli media outlets. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, but his supporters have dismissed the trials as politically motivated.
Herzog's office said that he held Trump "in the highest regard" and expressed his deep appreciation for the US president's support for Israel. However, Herzog also advised Trump to follow the usual procedures for a pardon, emphasizing that anyone seeking a presidential pardon must submit a formal request in accordance with established procedures.
Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the corruption cases against him, claiming that they are politically motivated and unjustified. His supporters have dismissed the trials as an attempt by the opposition to discredit him before elections, which are due within a year.
The resignation of Netanyahu's strategic affairs minister, Ron Dermer, who was a key liaison between Netanyahu and the White House, has sparked speculation about Netanyahu's chances in the upcoming elections. Critics have accused Dermer of failing to bring an earlier end to the Gaza conflict, with some saying he helped Netanyahu drag out the war to avoid potential imprisonment on corruption charges.
The Israeli government has rejected calls for an independent inquiry into the failures that enabled Hamas to launch its 2023 incursion into southern Israel, which resulted in widespread casualties.
. Trump thinks Netanyahu is a good guy just 'cause they're friends? I mean, I get it, Trump loves Israel and all, but come on... Netanyahu's got some serious charges against him, corruption and gift-taking from billionaires? That sounds like some shady stuff to me 
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. Like, "Oh, we appreciate Trump's support for Israel" - what about following the law though? It seems like Netanyahu's got a lot of leeway with this whole pardon thing because he's a big shot politician 
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. I wish politicians would focus on the bigger picture instead of trying to save their own skins 
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I get that Trump's a big fan of Netanyahu, but come on, a presidential pardon is no joke. It raises questions about the integrity of the justice system in Israel.
This whole situation feels a bit fishy to me...
. I get that they've been friends and all, but politics can be messy, right? 
The fact that Herzog's office is saying Trump should follow procedures makes sense, though - it's not like they're gonna give Netanyahu a free pass just because he's got some clout in Washington 
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! Trump's just sticking his neck out for Netanyahu, who's been in some deep doo-doo with these corruption cases. I mean, come on, a pardon? That's not exactly the most impartial thing to do, right? And what really gets my goat is that Herzog's office is like, "oh, we appreciate your support, but let's follow procedure, please." Like, Trump already knows he's got influence over Herzog - what does he need a formal request for? 
anyway i think its kinda rich that herzog is all like "oh thx trump for ur support" but also is like "ok u gotta follow the rules tho" like wut kinda leader does that lol netanyahu's got some serious explaining to do if he gets off scot free tho
anyway Herzog's all polite and says Trump's support means the world to him but come on, follow procedure dude! 
this whole thing reeks of politics and favoritism...
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and whats with herzogs response "usual procedures"? sounds like he's just saying what he has to say but secretly doesn't mean it lol. i dont think anyone should be above the law, even if they're friends with trump or have connections in washington 
. But come on, corruption cases? That's serious stuff 
. I don't think Herzog should just follow the rules and process... hmm maybe he should? 
And those luxury gifts from billionaires? That's just crazy talk! 
But at the same time, if he did get some favors from them in return... that's just gross 
. I don't know, man... this whole thing has me all confused 
. Like, who needs due process when you've got a friend in high places, right? 
I mean, Herzog's office is trying to play it cool by saying they'll follow procedure, but let's be real, this feels like a clear case of cronyism 
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! LIKE, SERIOUSLY, A PRESIDENT ASKING FOR A PARDON TO A GUY WHO IS ALREADY IN TRouble? IT SMELLS LIKE FRIENDSHIP OVER JUSTICE TO ME 
. HERZOG SHOULD TOTALLY FOLLOW THE RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR A PARDON, YOU KNOW? 
), but this whole thing just smells like politics as usual. And what's with Trump's letter being super casual? Like, he's urging Herzog to grant a pardon without even bothering to say that there might be some evidence against Netanyahu 
But seriously, if Herzog says Trump needs to follow procedure, we should all trust the Israeli president on this one