Overview
- Herzog’s office published President Trump’s letter requesting that Benjamin Netanyahu be “forgiven completely,” with Trump calling the prosecution a political persecution.
- Israeli officials said the presidency holds Trump in high esteem yet reiterated that pardons require a request submitted under established procedures.
- No formal pardon petition has been filed by Netanyahu, his legal team, or family, according to statements reported by the president’s office.
- Legal experts note Israeli pardons typically follow a formal application and often an admission of guilt, warning that a shortcut would be highly unusual and potentially unlawful.
- Netanyahu, who denies wrongdoing, remains on trial in three corruption cases dating to 2020, as political allies like Itamar Ben-Gvir urge clemency and opposition leader Yair Lapid highlights legal prerequisites.