Overview
- Herzog’s office confirmed receiving President Trump’s letter calling for a full pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and released excerpts of the appeal.
- Netanyahu has not submitted a pardon application, and his corruption trial continues with the prime minister maintaining his not-guilty plea.
- Trump’s letter labels the case a “political, unjustified prosecution” and praises Netanyahu as a wartime leader whose focus should not be diverted.
- Israeli legal experts note that clemency typically follows conviction and a formal petition with Justice Ministry input, making a pre-verdict pardon highly unusual.
- Reactions split quickly, with Netanyahu allies welcoming U.S. backing and opposition figures such as Yair Lapid warning about rule-of-law concerns and Israel’s judicial sovereignty.