Trump Says Netanyahu Pardon ‘On Its Way’; Herzog Denies
Trump Says Netanyahu Pardon ‘On Its Way’; Herzog Denies
Trump claims Isaac Herzog told him a pardon for Netanyahu was coming, but Israel's president's office says there have been no such talks since the clemency request.
Trump asserted during a Florida meeting with the Israeli prime minister that Isaac Herzog had told him a pardon for Benjamin Netanyahu was “on its way.” He argued that Netanyahu, a wartime leader, deserved clemency and suggested, “You can’t do better than that, right?” The claim came as Netanyahu faces corruption charges, a rarity for a sitting Israeli prime minister. Netanyahu denies the bribery, fraud and breach of trust charges brought in 2019, and his supporters have framed the trials as politically motivated.
Israel’s president, however, has not spoken to Trump since he wrote to Herzog in November urging clemency and describing the case as a “political, unjustified prosecution.” In a statement, Herzog’s office clarified that there has not been any conversation with Trump about a pardon since the request was submitted. The denial underscores the friction between aspirational diplomatic rhetoric and formal presidential protocol.
Analysts note that Netanyahu’s age—he is 76—complicates any hypothetical pardon, as a sentence could include prison time and a ban from public office, effectively ending his active political career. Trump’s public comments have repeatedly linked to his broader support for Netanyahu and his broader willingness to wade into Israel’s internal political debates.
The episode highlights ongoing tensions in US-Israel relations and the sensitivity around clemency in high-profile cases. While Trump framed the issue as strong moral support for a key ally, Israeli officials emphasized the importance of sticking to established processes. For now, Herzog’s office remains adamant: no pardon plan has been communicated, publicly or privately, since the original clemency request was submitted.
