Unprecedented Plea: Trump Urges Israeli President Herzog to Fully Pardon Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump sent a formal letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog this week, urging him to consider granting a full pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently on trial for corruption. Trump’s unprecedented appeal, a direct call for clemency to an accused head of state during a trial, was released as Netanyahu was testifying in his own defense.

In his letter, Trump called for the immediate cessation of the legal proceedings, stating that Netanyahu "proved his unwavering stand during the war" and that his focus "cannot be unnecessarily divided."

Trump’s Formal Request and Justification

The letter from Trump to Herzog began by praising their work together: "I have the honor of reaching out to you during such historic times, especially after we together secured peace in the Middle East for at least 3,000 years."

Trump went on to frame the legal case against Netanyahu as politically motivated: "While I completely respect the Israeli judicial system and its demands, I believe that this 'case' against Bibi, who fought alongside me for a long time, including against the very tough opponent of Israel, Iran, is an unjust political prosecution."

He stressed that it is time for the political crisis to end, arguing, "Now, after the unprecedented achievements we managed to bring about, and keeping Hamas within the boundaries of the agreement, it is time to allow Bibi to unite Israel by pardoning him, and ending the prosecution once and for all."

Trump asserted that Netanyahu "stood proudly for Israel in the face of great difficulties and slim chances," and that his attention should not be diverted by the trial while he "is leading Israel to times of peace, and together with me and my work with other important leaders in the Middle East, to continue changing the world through the Abraham Accords."

Herzog’s Reply and Legal Hurdles

President Herzog, the sole authority in Israel who can grant a pardon, responded by acknowledging Trump’s message but firmly reiterating the legal requirements.

The President’s Residence released a statement saying Herzog "greatly respects President Trump" and his "unconditional support for Israel." However, the statement clarified: "Without detracting from the above, as the President of the State has made clear more than once, anyone seeking a pardon must submit a request in accordance with the rules."

Legal experts and Israeli law state that, generally, a pardon can only be granted after a person has been convicted and their sentence has been determined. Netanyahu is currently only a defendant.

Attorney Tomer Naor from the Movement for Quality Government in Israel reminded the public that under Israeli Basic Law, only a convicted person whose sentence has been fixed can be pardoned. He noted that if Netanyahu wishes to be pardoned, he must first "admit to the offenses attributed to him, be convicted by the court, and then petition the President for a pardon."

Historically, there has been only one exceptional case of a pardon granted before conviction, the 1984 Bus 300 Affair, when President Chaim Herzog (the father of the current president) pardoned Shin Bet officials.

Political Fallout

Trump's demand immediately triggered a political uproar in Israel.

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid responded with a legal reminder: "A reminder. Israeli law states that the first condition for receiving a pardon is an admission of guilt and an expression of remorse for the actions."

Meanwhile, supporters of Netanyahu’s government quickly backed Trump’s call. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for an "urgent pardon," saying, "The fabricated and contemptible indictments against Prime Minister Netanyahu have long since become an indictment against the prosecution... President Herzog, listen to President Trump!"