Trump asks Israeli president to pardon Netanyahu

Israeli President Isaac Herzog received a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump asking him to consider pardoning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Herzog’s office said.

Netanyahu faces a long-running corruption trial and Trump has repeatedly requested pardons for his close ally. Netanyahu denies the accusations and does not accept the accusations.

“While I certainly respect the independence and requirements of the Israeli Justice System, I believe this ‘case’ against Bibi, who has long fought alongside me, including against Israel’s most formidable enemy, Iran, is a political, unfair investigation,” Trump said in the letter shared by Herzog’s office. he said.

Anyone seeking a presidential pardon must make a formal request in accordance with established procedures, the office said.

During Trump’s visit to Israel in October, he called on Herzog to pardon the prime minister in his speech to the parliament in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu was indicted in three cases in 2019, including allegations that he received gifts from businessmen worth approximately 700,000 shekels (US$335,000).

Despite the largely ceremonial role of the Israeli presidency, Herzog has the authority to pardon convicted criminals under unusual circumstances.

However, Netanyahu’s trial, which started in 2020, has not yet been concluded and he has denied all accusations.

Netanyahu cast his legal ordeal as a left-wing witch hunt aimed at overthrowing a right-wing elected leader.