Herzog rebuffs Trump: Israel is sovereign, pardon process follows law
President Isaac Herzog's office responded to Donald Trump's criticism over withholding a pardon for Benjamin Netanyahu, asserting Israel is a "sovereign state governed by the rule of law" and that no decision has been made while a Justice Ministry review continues.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog pushed back Thursday against remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump accusing him of disgraceful conduct for declining to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Herzog's office issued a statement emphasizing that Israel's presidential pardon process operates independently, subject to legal procedure rather than external pressure.
Legal Review Underway, No Decision Taken
"For the sake of clarity, as has been explained repeatedly, the Prime Minister's request is, according to the procedures, under review at the Ministry of Justice for a legal opinion," the statement read. "Only upon completion of that process will President Herzog consider the request in accordance with the law, the best interests of the State of Israel, guided by his conscience, and without any influence from external or internal pressures of any kind." The office stressed that contrary to Trump's impression, Herzog "has not yet made any decision on this matter."
Trump's Oval Office Remarks
Speaking to reporters a day after meeting Netanyahu, Trump said: "You have a president who refuses to give him a pardon. He should be ashamed of himself. The president's got the power to give pardons. He doesn't want to do it, because I guess he loses his power." Trump also disclosed he sent a letter to Herzog in November 2025 urging the pardon. Despite previously stating he would not seek a pardon, Netanyahu formally submitted a request on Nov. 30, seeking relief from corruption charges without admitting guilt or withdrawing from public life—a requirement under Israeli law for presidential pardon.
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International Legal Context
Beyond domestic proceedings, Netanyahu faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued November 2024 for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Israel's Gaza offensive, which has killed over 71,000 Palestinians since October 2023.
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