Former US President Donald Trump has publicly urged Israel’s President Isaac Herzog to grant a full pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his ongoing corruption trial. In a strongly worded letter, Trump described the legal proceedings against Netanyahu as a “political, unjustified prosecution.” This intervention marks another instance of Trump attempting to influence the case, raising significant questions about the extent of American influence on Israel’s internal political and judicial matters.
Netanyahu, the first sitting Israeli prime minister to face trial, is accused of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes across three separate cases. He vehemently denies the charges, likening the trial to a “witch hunt.” He publicly thanked Trump for his support, stating that the former president “calls it like it is.”
The Israeli presidency, while largely ceremonial, does possess the authority to grant pardons. President Herzog confirmed receipt of Trump’s letter but emphasized that a formal request must be submitted. Herzog has previously expressed that the trial distracts from crucial national issues and has hoped for a settlement between Netanyahu and the prosecution. Trump’s previous call for a pardon during a speech to the Israeli parliament was met with strong support from Netanyahu’s allies, yet it underscores broader concerns about US sway over Israeli policy, particularly in the context of the Gaza conflict.