Trump renews push for Herzog to pardon Netanyahu amid corruption trial
President Trump has renewed pressure on Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces corruption, bribery, and breach of trust charges. Trump told Axios that Netanyahu’s trial makes Israel “look bad” and that a wartime prime minister cannot have such legal battles “hanging over his head.”
US President Donald Trump has revived his campaign to pressure Israeli President Isaac Herzog into pardoning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is standing trial on corruption charges, Axios reported on Wednesday. Trump told the outlet that Netanyahu raised his trial during a phone call Tuesday night, complaining that he had to return to court instead of focusing on the Iran war. “In the middle of a war? Give me a break,” Trump said. He argued that Netanyahu’s trial makes Israel “look bad” and dismissed the charges as “wine and cigars.” “Bibi is a wartime prime minister. He can’t have this hanging over his head,” Trump added.
Netanyahu’s court appearance
On Wednesday, Netanyahu cut short a session in his corruption trial to attend security consultations regarding an aid flotilla heading to Gaza. Before the hearing began in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu asked to shorten the session to three hours, but judges denied the request. He then requested and received permission to leave for one hour to hold security talks at the Defense Ministry before returning. Netanyahu faces charges in three cases that could lead to imprisonment if convicted. An indictment was filed in November 2019. Under Israeli law, a pardon requires acknowledgment of misconduct and remorse—neither of which Netanyahu has shown.
Trump’s shifting tone
After months of harsh criticism of Herzog, Trump recently adopted a softer approach, saying Herzog “will be a national hero if he gives Bibi a pardon. I will very much appreciate it.” Trump has advocated for a pardon since last June, comparing Netanyahu’s trial to his own legal challenges, which he has called a “witch hunt.” With Israel set to hold elections in October, Netanyahu’s chances of going to prison could rise sharply if he is defeated. For Türkiye, which has long accused Netanyahu of war crimes in Gaza and Lebanon, a potential pardon would be viewed as a travesty of justice. Ankara has called for international accountability regardless of political office.
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