Israeli President Isaac Herzog has defended his methodical approach to reviewing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pardon request, responding Thursday to Donald Trump’s attack that characterized his deliberative process as disgraceful and shameful.
Herzog’s office issued a comprehensive explanation of the ongoing legal review, noting that the Ministry of Justice is currently conducting a thorough analysis of the pardon application according to established governmental protocols. The statement clarified that Herzog has not reached any decision and emphasized that contrary to impressions created by Trump’s remarks, the review is proceeding normally, with any determination to be based exclusively on legal considerations and Israeli law.
The diplomatic tension intensified when Trump, speaking at a White House press conference during Netanyahu’s Washington visit, publicly criticized Herzog using unusually strong language. The former American president stated that Herzog “should be ashamed of himself” for not immediately granting the pardon and encouraged Israeli citizens to pressure their president. Trump’s comments represented an extraordinary level of intervention in Israel’s internal governmental affairs.
Netanyahu currently faces corruption allegations in three active criminal cases. Two prosecutions involve accusations that he negotiated deals with Israeli media organizations, allegedly trading regulatory decisions for favorable news coverage. The third case centers on claims that Netanyahu accepted luxury gifts valued at over $260,000 from billionaire associates, including expensive cigars, champagne, and jewelry, allegedly in exchange for political favors that benefited these wealthy supporters.
As the first sitting Israeli prime minister to stand trial on corruption charges, Netanyahu occupies a historic position that has polarized the nation since 2019. Netanyahu has consistently maintained his innocence throughout all proceedings, characterizing the cases as a politically motivated “political trial” orchestrated by opponents to remove him from office. While one of four original charges was dismissed, three serious cases remain active in the courts. The pardon controversy began when Trump addressed the Israeli Knesset in October and publicly urged Herzog to grant clemency, which prompted Netanyahu’s legal team to formally submit a pardon petition.