Israeli President Isaac Herzog has resisted pressure for a rushed decision on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pardon request, responding Thursday to Donald Trump’s characterization of his methodical approach as disgraceful and deserving of public condemnation.
Herzog’s office provided transparency about the legal review underway, explaining that the Ministry of Justice is conducting a thorough analysis of the pardon application following all established procedures and constitutional requirements. The statement clarified that Herzog has not made any determination and emphasized that any decision will be based strictly on legal considerations and Israeli law, without being influenced by external political pressure.
The controversy intensified when Trump, during a White House press conference conducted while Netanyahu was in Washington for bilateral talks, publicly criticized Herzog using harsh language. The former American president stated that Herzog “should be ashamed of himself” for not immediately approving the pardon and encouraged Israeli citizens to pressure their president. Trump’s remarks represented an extraordinary departure from conventional diplomatic norms.
Netanyahu faces serious allegations across three ongoing criminal cases. Two prosecutions involve accusations that he orchestrated quid pro quo arrangements with Israeli media organizations, allegedly leveraging governmental regulatory authority to secure favorable news coverage in exchange for policy decisions. The third case centers on claims that Netanyahu accepted luxury items worth over $260,000 from billionaire associates, including expensive cigars, champagne, and jewelry, allegedly in return for political favors.
As Israel’s first sitting prime minister to stand trial on corruption charges, Netanyahu occupies a historic position that has deeply divided the nation since 2019. Throughout all proceedings, Netanyahu has vigorously maintained his innocence, consistently characterizing the cases as a politically motivated “political trial” designed to remove him from office. While one of four original charges was dismissed, three substantial cases remain active in the judicial system. The pardon controversy emerged when Trump addressed the Israeli Knesset in October and publicly urged Herzog to grant clemency, which prompted Netanyahu’s legal team to submit a formal pardon petition to the presidential office.
