 "US President Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu. Reuters File")
US President Donald Trump has asked Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling the ongoing corruption trial against his longtime ally “political” and “unjustified," according to a Reuters report, citing Herzog’s office on Wednesday.
Netanyahu has been on trial for several years over corruption charges, which he denies, maintaining his innocence and pleading not guilty.
Trump has repeatedly voiced support for the Israeli leader, arguing that the legal proceedings are politically motivated.
“While I absolutely respect the independence of the Israeli Justice System, and its requirements, I believe that this ‘case’ against Bibi, who has fought alongside me for a long time, including against the very tough adversary of Israel, Iran, is a political, unjustified prosecution,” Reuters quoted Trump as saying in the letter shared by Herzog’s office.
Meanwhile, Herzog’s office said that any request for a presidential pardon must be submitted through formal channels and in line with established procedures.
During his visit to Israel in October, President Trump had also publicly urged Herzog to pardon Netanyahu during an address to parliament in Jerusalem.
Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 in three corruption cases, including allegations that he accepted gifts worth nearly 700,000 shekels ($211,832) from wealthy businessmen.
Although the Israeli presidency is largely ceremonial, Herzog does have the authority to issue pardons in exceptional cases.
However, Netanyahu’s trial — which began in 2020 — is still ongoing, and he has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Netanyahu has described the proceedings as a politically motivated “left-wing witch-hunt” aimed at removing a right-wing elected leader from power.
With inputs from agencies