Overview

• In a televised address to the Knesset, President Donald Trump directly asked Isaac Herzog, "Why not grant a pardon to Netanyahu?"
• Trump praised Benjamin Netanyahu and touted his Middle East peace plan, calling this the start of a "golden era" for Israel and the region.
• He downplayed one corruption case with a quip about "cigars and champagne" and called Netanyahu "a good man," noting the appeal was off-script.
• Opposition lawmakers Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif protested during the speech—one holding a "genocide" sign—and were removed by Knesset security, whose "efficiency" Trump commended.
• Netanyahu remains on trial in three cases known as 1000, 2000 and 4000 involving fraud, breach of trust and bribery, with court appearances ongoing and testimony set to increase in November.