Overview
- President Isaac Herzog’s office confirmed receipt of President Donald Trump’s letter and stressed that pardons require a formal request under established procedures.
- Benjamin Netanyahu has not submitted a pardon petition as his corruption trial continues with charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, all of which he denies.
- In the letter, Trump called the prosecution political and unjustified and argued that a pardon would allow Israel to focus on regional peace after the recent ceasefire.
- Opposition leader Yair Lapid said Israeli law links pardons to an admission of guilt and remorse, while Netanyahu allies praised the appeal and questioned the charges.
- Legal analysts note the president can grant pardons but say granting one before conviction or without an admission of guilt would be highly unusual and potentially unlawful.