Trump Urges Israeli President to Pardon Netanyahu Amid Ongoing Corruption Trial

U.S. President Donald Trump has sent a letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, urging him to grant a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently facing a high-profile corruption trial. Herzog’s office confirmed receiving the letter on Wednesday, emphasizing that any pardon must go through formal legal procedures.

In the letter, Trump expressed strong support for his longtime ally, calling the charges against Netanyahu “a political, unjustified prosecution.” He added, “While I absolutely respect the independence of the Israeli Justice System, I believe this case against Bibi—who has stood with me in defending Israel and confronting Iran—is a political witch hunt.”

Netanyahu, who has maintained his innocence since his 2019 indictment, thanked Trump on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Thank you, President Trump, for your incredible support. As usual, you get right to the point and call it like it is. I look forward to continuing our partnership to bolster security and expand peace.”

The Israeli leader’s trial, which began in 2020, involves three separate cases, including accusations of accepting nearly 700,000 shekels (about $211,000) in gifts from wealthy businessmen. Despite the ongoing proceedings, Netanyahu remains a dominant figure in Israeli politics, framing his legal battles as part of a broader campaign by political opponents to oust him from power.

Although the presidency in Israel is largely ceremonial, Herzog holds the constitutional authority to issue pardons under exceptional circumstances. During his visit to Israel in October, Trump also publicly called on Herzog to consider pardoning Netanyahu, underscoring their close political relationship and shared stance on issues like Iran and Middle East peace.

Netanyahu continues to deny all wrongdoing, describing the allegations as a “left-wing witch hunt” aimed at removing a democratically elected right-wing government.